Ranchi, Nov. 20: Bread has become the object of everyone’s desire.

The hawkers’ demand of a higher cut from shopkeepers has not been welcomed. This has adversely affected bread supply and shop shelves are running empty for almost three days.

A shopkeeper near Plaza cinema hall, Mahesh Singh, said he got a small supply of bread after three days.

Moreish and Nashta are two popular bread brands consumed by city residents. An official of a bread company, on the condition of anonymity, said hawkers’ demands are “unjustified.” “We have now started direct distribution and are meeting customers’ demand regularly,” the official assured.

Besides, the official said, it would take time to cover all the outlets. “I am not aware when the strike will be called off,” he added.

On November 16, the price of a loaf of bread was also hiked by 10 per cent. If one goes by the price index of bread in other states, it is still the lowest in Jharkhand,” said sales manager of Moreish Food Limited, Anjani Sinha.

The present price of 200gm and 400gm of bread is Rs 6 and Rs 11, respectively (earlier it was Rs 5 and Rs 10, respectively). Sinha said this price hike is marginal because in Varanasi and Lucknow, the cost of 400gm loaf is Rs 14. In 2006, the price of a 400gm loaf was Rs 11.

However, the officials of bread companies, said the rate of bread would also be increased in March next year. “Now, the increase is because of the rise in prices of essential commodities. But so far, price was revised only because of the competition existing between various bread companies,” an official said.