BHUBANESWAR: Pahala sweets like Rasagola and Chhenapoda may be costlier post Raksha Bandhan under the effect of rise in prices of chhena (cottage cheese) and other essential commodities like sugar and firewood.
President of Ama Pahala Rasagola Foundation Akshay Kumar Lenka said the price of chhena that they purchase from local suppliers has increased by Rs 20 per kg after OMFED milk was hiked by Rs 4 per litre recently. “Besides, price of sugar has also gone up by Rs 30 per kg, apart from cardamom and firewood. Despite an increase in input costs, prices of sweets like Rasagola, Chhenapoda and Chhenagaja have remained unchanged as of now. But this cannot continue for long. We have decided to revise the rate or adjust quantity of sweets in view of the prevailing situation,” he said.
Rasagola at Pahala is now being sold at Rs 5, Rs 10 and Rs 20 depending on size, and Chhenapoda in the range of Rs 280-Rs 300. Similarly, Chhenagaja is being sold at around Rs 200 per kg.
Meanwhile, amid concerns over use of adulterated paneer and raids being carried out at different shops over the same, the traders assured that they always check the quality of chhena before purchase.
“Following raids, some suppliers have stopped the supply out of fear, reducing the quantity of chhena available to the vendors in the market. This has affected overall business operations.
However, the inspection by food safety officials should continue at regular intervals to ensure there is no adulteration,” said one of the traders.
On the other hand, a food safety team as part of its ongoing safety check drive, on Tuesday carried out inspections at multiple sweet stalls in Pahala, Chakeisiani and nearby areas, and imposed Rs 2,500 on one vendor in Satya Vihar area over alleged stale products and poor hygiene.
“Around 27 samples were also collected from the sweets stalls for lab test. However, no adulteration in chhena was found at sweets stalls in Pahala during inspection,” said BMC food safety officer Satyajit Patel. He said around Rs 15,000 fine was also collected from five sweets shops in Nayapalli, CRPF square and Kalinga Vihar area during a food safety inspection on Monday. Around 60 kg sweets were also destroyed over poor quality.
