Chicken Shop Owners Stage Protest For Higher Margins
The Association declared closure of all the chicken shops from April 1 demanding a hike in the margin from the wholesalers
Hyderabad: Chicken shop owners across the state shut their outlets on Wednesday and staged protests, demanding an increase in retail profit margins amid rising operational costs.
Members of the Chicken Shop Owners Association held a demonstration at Dharna Chowk, seeking government intervention. They said the existing margin of ₹26 per kg has remained unchanged for nearly two decades despite a steady rise in expenses.
Association leaders said transport-related weight loss in birds was adding to their financial burden, with traders forced to absorb the losses. “No one is paying attention to the difficulties of the thousands of chicken shop owners across the state. The issue is worsening day by day,” said G. Raju, president of the association.
Shop owners said rents, electricity charges and other operational costs had increased while earnings remained stagnant. “What we are asking is our right, and a fair price per kilogram,” said Ramulu, a shop owner from Saidabad.
Narendar, a trader from Sitaphalmandi, said margins had not been received for the past two months, adding that prolonged closure of shops would affect their own income. “We demand an increase in retail margin from ₹26 to ₹30,” he said.
The association warned of intensifying protests if the demands were not addressed.
Tension was reported in LB Nagar after a shop continued operations despite the bandh call. Members of the association asked the owner to shut down, leading to a confrontation. During the incident, egg trays were reportedly thrown onto the road. Some traders, however, kept their shops open, reporting a limited impact of the bandh.
Consumers expressed concern over supply disruptions ahead of the summer holidays and the weekend. Some also raised apprehensions about the quality of meat used in eateries, citing the possibility of unsold birds being used.
