Storm in your teacup

Prices of Amul milk will go up by Re1 per litre from September 1 but the prices of tea and sugar, which have already gone up by 40% and 35%, respectively, in the past four months, play a major role in increasing cost of a cup of tea. 

Now, with the rise in milk prices, your cup of tea, made everyday twice, thrice or sometimes more, will become costlier by around 35%.

“Husbands know just how to order a cup of tea every morning and evening. They have not yet realised that their favourite cup of tea has become costlier. But it is also true that we cannot sacrifice our daily dose of tea, whatever may be the cost,” said Smita Shah, a homemaker in Vastrapur.

Many kitli owners have already increased the cost of adadhi cha (cutting chai) by 50 paise to Re1. Others too will follow soon as they would be left with no option after the milk price hike.

Rambhai, who runs a kitli near the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIM-A), said, “I had to increase the price of a cup of cutting tea by 50 paise, which now costs Rs3.50. It was done only to compensate for increased cost of tea and sugar and not to make extra profit.”

A kitli owner near Iscon Mega Mall, Sagar Desai said, “Quality is what matters for us. We offer cutting chai at Rs4 and have not increased the price till now but we will have to increase it by Re1 as milk prices have gone up.”