Will you bite into this Budget?

As the city awaits the verdict on the Union Budget, what does the impending price rise mean for the average vada pav-loving, brun muska-dunking, cutting chai-worshipping Mumbaikar? The Guide asks those who whip up some of Mumbai's signature snacks and goodies, about how the Rupee's worth has changed over the years, and what they hope from the 2013 Budget

PAV BHAJI
@Maruti Pav Bhaji,
Vile Parle (W)
BUDGET 2013 TALK
“There is not much that we expect from the Budget, because we have noticed that the prices after the budget have always gone up. High prices don’t really affect people with high incomes but for people like us, every price hike means a lot. So, I just hope that the prices of essentials like vegetables and food supplies come down a bit. If that happens, even we can reduce the price of the pav bhaji we serve,” says Chandrakant Maruti Mhatre.
THEN
Rs 3 (1970)
NOW
Rs 60

Illustration/ Amit Bandre

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CUTTING CHAI
@Lower Parel Station
BUDGET 2013 TALK
“We don’t get affected much by the Budget, how much will the price of tea change? If prices fall, it will be good overall. But it won’t affect the price of tea so much,” says the vendor.
THEN
Rs 1 (1999)
NOW
Rs 5

Ganne ka ras@Navnath, Mulund (W)
BUDGET 2013 TALK
“The price of sugarcane is what affects the cost of the juice. But things such as electricity and even the increase in the cost of labour is what affects us. The Budget should consider everything together and not the cost of just a few items,” says Malti More, daughter of Haribhau Phadtare, who founded the sugarcane juice centre almost 60 years ago, near Mulund (W) station.
THEN
R5 (2003)
NOW
R10
for a regular glass

Vada pav@Ashok Vada Pav, Dadar
BUDGET 2013 TALK
The crowds gathered in front of Ashok Vada Pav near Kirti College in Dadar attest to its popularity. Set up in 1978 by Ashok Ramchandra Thakur, the Vada Pav stall began by selling products at just 30 paise; today their chutney and chura-stuffed Vada Pavs cost Rs15. Thakur feels it may get more expensive, post- Budget. “With prices of essential commodities and fuel on the rise, I don’t think the price rise in fast food like Vada Pav will stop. Though I am hoping against a price rise, there isn’t much we can do about it. Consumers might be wary of it, our prices are a bit steep because we ensure that the quality of our Vada Pav is maintained; otherwise, we could have sold them at Rs10; this would mean compromising on the quality of ingredients, which isn’t our aim,” adds Thakur. Thakur maintains that price rise or not, the demand for Vada Pavs will always remain constant. “When we started off, Vada Pavs were not as popular as they are today. People didn’t like to be seen eating it on streets but today, our fast paced lifestyles have ensured that even working professionals and entrepreneurs are pressed for time and opt for the Vada Pav. It’s satiating and economical; that’s why its popularity will remain unabated,” he observes .
THEN
30 paise (1978)
NOW
Rs 15

BOMBAY TOAST SANDWICH@Jay Sandwich, Bandra
BUDGET 2013 TALK
“The prices have increased the most in 2012. There was a time when in Rs10, students would have a sandwich, a glass of lassi and shell out the bus fare too. Because of the increase in prices, not everyone can afford a toast sandwich today and they have a vada pav for Rs10. It’s the cost of butter and cheese that increases the cost more. I would want the Budget to gradually increase the cost of things, and not skyrocket suddenly, like it has in the past two years,” says Jay Patel, owner of Jay Sandwich.
THEN
Rs 2/3 (1986-87)
NOW
Rs 40

Omelette pav
@Mulla Omelette pav Vala, borivli
BUDGET 2013 TALK
“I don’t have any expectations from the budget. Every year prices go up, so this year will be no different. I started selling Omelette Pav at Rs3, and now I sell it for Rs 15, but I used to make more profit then than I do today. Everything is so expensive — eggs, pav, onions, chillies, salt, kerosene — so, obviously profit has also gone down,” says Mulla Bhai.
THEN
Rs 3 (1986-87)
NOW
Rs 15

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THEN
Rs 2 anna (1960s)
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