Jammu, November 12, 2022: They are found everywhere in Northen India and served to their customers ranging from the lowest economic strata to the super rich. They are the ‘chhole kulche’ (spicy chickpeas/Aloo tikkis/soyabean stuffed in bread/buns) which vendors sells on cycles. But today in Jammu city a controversy has appeared recently when Kulcha association of Udhampur hiked delicacy’s price from Rupees 20 to rupees twenty five per Kulcha there whose effect has reached here in Jammu on Saturday.
“Mirchi tez ya kum?” This is the question a person most likely will face from the vendor once the order is placed. Conspicuous by big rounded brass pot mounted on a stand in which they stuff chick peas and buns & along with that these vendors carry along a stove, tamarind tumbler, boxes for salt, chilli powder, blackpepper,onions, tomatoes and a dustbin — all on a bicycle. The delicacy they offer can be a quick snack or a full meal.But on Saturday in Jammu a controversy has emerged regarding them.
Speaking to the media Mr Brij Kishore a non-local Kulcha vendor said that he has been selling the delicacy from past 15 years in Jammu. Adding he said, ” Its sale was started from rupees 1 and now we are selling these Kulchas at Rupees 20. No one told me here that the delicacy I’m selling has become pricy, every single person is buying it without any complain from me”.
Conversing further he said that he cannot comment on Kulcha’s price hike in Udhampur because according to him that district appears small in comparison to main Jammu city.
“In some parts of Jammu, people are selling this delicacy at rupees 25, but keeping in mind the students I’m still selling it at 20”, he said.
Mr Ravi a local vendor said that he has been selling the delicacy from past 20 years and he has seen that in Shalamar area of Jammu some vendors are selling it for twenty-five rupees.
“The change in rate of the delicacy should not effect rates here.I am selling plain kulcha at rupees 15 and with butter 20”, he said.
A local student namely Khushal said that the kulcha vendors use to sell them this stuff at cheap rates. He further said that these Choley kulchas are delicious and the students eats this delicacy as lunch also.
Mr Jai Kishan another Kulcha vendor said that he has been selling the delicacy at lower prices to the people.
“The price of Kulchas should be increased as there is inflation which we are facing, but our main buyers are students and other poor people who can’t go to restaurants. But what we can do. I am a non-local person living in a rented room here in Jammu”, he said.
Aman Zutshi
