Christmas trees get dearer in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: The Christmas tree that is so integral to the festival is now coming in different colours. Shops in the city have stocked the tree in a new decorative white, silver, yellow and with make believe snowflakes. Another addition is the lights. The shopkeepers say that there is an increase in the price of the X’mas tree and the lightings due to the introduction of GST. Moin, proprietor of Himalaya Book Depot at Khairtabad, said, "There is a slight increase in the X’mas tree prices just the way there is a price rise in everything." Suresh, a customer at Big Bazaar said, "Last year I brought the 8 ft Christmas tree for just Rs 2,600 but this year I am getting the same for Rs 4,500."

The staff at Big bazaar said, "There is a marginal hike in the price for the Christmas items." Ramesh, Royal shop owner at Aziz Plaza Begum Bazaar, said, "The Christmas tree's prices have increased from Rs 450 to Rs 1000 depending on different sizes." Juhi, a customer at Royal shop, said, "I found the prize to hit a new range this year in fact over my budget."Osmanjung street sellers Arif and Siraj said, "Almost Rs 500 to Rs 700 have been increased this year due to GST."

The Himalaya book depot at Punjagutta has put up a huge hike on prices of Christmas items, from Rs 3,000 to Rs 8,000 on various items and tree designs. Sikander, a sales boy at Himalaya Book Store at Punjagutta said, "The trees with new and beautiful designs and the GST are the two reasons behind the hike in prices on the Christmas decorative." The Hyderabad Central at Punjagutta was seen lit up with the beautiful Christmas decorations inviting customers with a new range of prices on Christmas items in a range from Rs 3,000 to Rs 20,000.

BY Nihad Amani