GST PUSHES UP PRICE OF DUM-KE-ROAT

Goods and Service Tax (GST) has sent the prices of dum-keroat, a cookie for the Muharram.

Against `400 per kg last year, the price has shot up by 25 per cent to `500 this year. Dum-ke-roat is made of wheat flour, ghee and dry fruits and is baked in traditional ovens.

Mr Syed Imran ,of Subhan Bakery said the prices of dry fruits and pure ghee had seen a drastic rise.

“After GST, traders are selling the ingredients with proper bills. Hence, there is an increase in prices,” he said.

“There is an increase in prices but the demand has not come down. Since it is sold once a year people do not bother to pay a higher price,” said Mr M.A. Majeed of Pista House.

Mr Murtuza Ali Moosavi, mutavalli (caretaker) of the Badshahi ashoorkhana, said that people distribute dum-ke-roat after the ‘majlis’ (gatherings) at the ashoorkhana.

“In the first fortnight of Muharram, the Shia community does not eat meat. To keep fit, dum-ke-roat is served,” he said.

He said the tradition in the city was that whenever the wish of a couple for a child was fulfilled, the family brings five, seven or 12 dum-keroats to the ashoorkhana.

“They hold the roat above the head of the child and break the dum-ke-roat into two pieces which is distributed,” the mutavali said.

Dum-ke-roat was earlier made by women at home. Nowadays, it is churned out by bakers.