Delhi loves its butter chicken and mutton biryani, but thanks to the recent stand-off between the MCD and meat merchants, the prices of chicken and mutton have skyrocketed, leaving Delhiites with no choice but to cut back on non-vegetarian khaana.
A kilo of mutton, that cost approximately Rs 200 per kilogram till last week, now costs Rs 300 to Rs 350 per kg. A kilo of chicken is selling for as high as Rs 150. Mouli Sen, a CR Park housewife, says, “Who’ll buy mutton or chicken at this rate? I’d rather eat fish. I really can’t afford to eat this even once a week now."
The Saxena household in Mayur Vihar would indulge in mutton at least twice a week. But if prices continue to go up, “we’ll have to cut back on the frequency of meat consumption”, says housewife Alka Saxena. Restaurant owners, too, are facing a tough time with the unavailability of mutton and poultry. Monish Gujral of Moti Mahal Deluxe Tandoori Trail says, “Procuring meat has become really difficult...but we won’t increase the prices. We have a set menu and it looks really unprofessional if, for a short span of time, you just increase prices. We are concentrating more on fish and poultry.”
However, small eating joints that run at small profit margins have started increasing prices. The famous biryani and chicken korma at Babu Khan, Dargah Matka Peer, just got more expensive by Rs 10 each. “Previously, our profits were around Rs 30 per kilo but with higher rates, we have had to increase the price,” says owner Babu Khan.
{{/usCountry}}However, small eating joints that run at small profit margins have started increasing prices. The famous biryani and chicken korma at Babu Khan, Dargah Matka Peer, just got more expensive by Rs 10 each. “Previously, our profits were around Rs 30 per kilo but with higher rates, we have had to increase the price,” says owner Babu Khan.
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