Bilaspur DM Fixes Maximum Prices for Meat, Meals and Dhaba Food

District Magistrate of Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, Rahul Kumar has fixed the maximum prices for various essential food items and cooked food served at dhabas across the district. The rates have been notified under the Himachal Pradesh Hoarding and Profiteering Prevention Order, 1977, and will come into force with immediate effect.

The rates include all taxes and other incidental charges. Shopkeepers and dhaba operators found charging more than the fixed prices or violating the rules will face action as per the law, the district administration said.

Under the notified rates, goat and sheep meat can be sold at a maximum price of 550 rupees per kilogram. The rate for pork has been fixed at 300 rupees per kilogram. Prepared chicken and broiler will be available at 250 rupees per kilogram, while the price of unfried fish has been fixed at 230 rupees per kilogram.

Fried fish can be sold at 450 rupees per kilogram, and live chicken at 200 rupees per kilogram. These rates will apply to the sale of the respective food items in the district.

The maximum price for a tandoori chapati has been fixed at 10 rupees, while a tawa chapati will cost 7 rupees. A full-size paratha stuffed with onion or potato will be available for 30 rupees.

A complete meal consisting of rice, chapati, dal and vegetable has been fixed at 100 rupees. The five-dish Bilaspuri dham thali has also been fixed at 100 rupees.

A full plate of rice will cost 50 rupees. The rate for fried dal has been fixed at 60 rupees, while meat curry will cost 150 rupees per plate. Chicken curry will be available at 110 rupees per plate, and special vegetable at 80 rupees.

A plate of matar-paneer or palak-paneer has been fixed at 100 rupees. Two bhaturas served with vegetable or chhole and curd will cost 60 rupees. The rate for raita has been fixed at 50 rupees per plate.

The price of open paneer has been fixed at 350 rupees per kilogram, while open curd will be sold at 80 rupees per kilogram. All brands of milk and cold drinks available in packets must be sold according to the maximum retail price printed on the packet.

District Magistrate Rahul Kumar has also specified the quantity and serving requirements for certain dishes. One plate of meat or chicken curry must contain at least five pieces, along with 200 grams of net meat and 100 grams of gravy.

Dishes such as matar-paneer and palak-paneer must contain at least 100 grams of paneer. Packaged items, including bread and milk, must carry the price and the packing date as required under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011.

The District Magistrate has directed all shopkeepers, dhaba operators and other concerned businesses to clearly display the fixed price list at the entrance of their establishments. The price list must also carry the signature of the owner or manager.

It will be mandatory for sellers to provide a cash receipt or bill whenever a customer asks for one. Rahul Kumar has directed all concerned businesses to strictly follow the notified rates and not charge consumers more than the fixed prices.

He made it clear that those who fail to follow the rules will face action as per the law. The notification will remain effective for one month from the date of its publication in the Gazette.