LUCKNOW: Sharp rise in prices of cooking oils and edibles coupled with drop in income due to the pandemic has derailed the budget of many families in the city, forcing them to cut down on food items and revise menu.
Take the example of the Verma family whose monthly expenditure on food items was Rs 1,500 till four months ago, but now has increased by Rs 3,000.
“The pandemic had already taken a toll on my catering business resulting in huge losses. Now, the price rise by 10-30% in the past few months has come as a double blow, leaving no scope of savings,” said Avinash Verma, head of the family. As prices of edible oil have increased, we have cut down on ‘puris’ and ‘parathas’ in breakfast, replacing them with bread and semolina” added the Shaktinagar resident.
Families whose members contracted Covid-19 said that the huge cost of medicines has also drilled a hole in the pocket. Petrol prices hike and rise in overall inflation due to it has also hit people hard.
Murarinagar resident Sunil Bisht, working in the private sector, said, "We are a family of four. My wife contracted Covid in mid-April. Around Rs 50,000 was spent on her treatment. Earlier, I used to buy rations in bulk for a month, but now I maintain a weekly budget depending on the income."
Three family members of Ankur Srivastava, a government employee, recently recovered from Covid-19. "Due to no increase in Dearness Allowance (DA), rising prices of edible oils and more expenses on medicines, we have reduced intake on oily food and prefer boiled vegetables once in a day. It's healthy as well," added the Gomtinagar resident.
Homemaker Vandana Shukla of Indiranagar said that her family has cut down on branded and packaged food, even reduced tea consumption in accordance with the budget. Whereas Sadhna Sharma of Alambagh, said, "Due to high inflation, one has to think twice before inviting guests for dinner and lunch nowadays.”
