Ramazan Bazaars: Shoppers ‘cry foul’ at fruit, vegetable quality

Citizens complain of lack of Ramazan essentials like lemons, tomatoes

LAHORE: The City District Government of Lahore (CDGL) failed on the first day of Ramazan to ensure the availability of quality fruit and vegetables at Ramazan Bazaars.

Many shoppers complained about poor quality and non-availability of essential items like lemons and tomatoes.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Shahid Khan, who was shopping in the Shadman Ramazan Bazaar, said the government’s focus seemed to be on publicity. “You will find chief minister’s face everywhere, but scarcely any quality fruit or vegetables. Politicians are visiting Ramazan Bazaars for a photo opportunity. Shoppers have been left at the mercy of vendors who are fleecing them by selling second or third-grade products,” he said.

Muhammad Ashraf, a shopper at Wahdat Road Ramazan Bazaar, said that most of the vendors were selling sub-standard fruit and vegetables. “The prices seemed attractive, but the products are not,” he said.

According to the official price list, apples (kala kolu) were available for Rs77 to Rs136 per kilogramme depending on the quality. Another apple variety was available for Rs73 to Rs105 per kg. New Zealand and Chinese apple varieties were being sold for Rs250 to 256 and Rs180 to 186, respectively.

Water melon prices were fixed at Rs15 to Rs17 per kg. Premium banana was available for Rs90 to Rs96 per dozen. A lower-grade variety was available for Rs60 to Rs64 a dozen. However, in most Ramazan bazaars, premium quality banana was not available. It was selling for Rs140 to Rs160 per dozen in the open market. Vendors were found selling average quality bananas in Ramazan Bazaars.

Falsa price had been fixed at Rs100 to Rs106 per kg, plums (special) Rs150 to Rs156, plum (second grade) Rs114 to Rs120, premium peaches Rs140 to Rs146, average peaches Rs80 to Rs85 and grapes (bedana) Rs100 to Rs106. Honey dew was available for Rs43 to Rs45 per kg and papaya for Rs73 to Rs77.

Consumers in Ramazan Bazaars also complained about the quality of dates. Most consumers said that vendors were selling mixed varieties and charging premium grade prices. According to the official price list, three dates’ varieties were available in the bazaars. Iranian dates are available for Rs158 to Rs164 a kg, Ameel dates for Rs125 to Rs131 and Iraqi dates for Rs110 to Rs116 per kg.

Melons were available for Rs20 and Rs42 per kg. Lychee was sold for Rs177 to Rs183 and chiku for Rs76 to Rs80 a kg.

Saharni mangoes were available for Rs80 to Rs85, Anwar Rathool Rs114 to Rs120 and Langra Rs42 to Rs44. Dusseheri mangoes were available for Rs70 to Rs102, Sindhri for Rs65 to Rs102 and those of a ‘desi’ variety were available for Rs38 to Rs40.

The vegetable prices chart showed that the government had fixed potato prices at Rs20 to Rs27 per kg depending on their quality. Onions were available for Rs25 to Rs27 per kg, tomatoes for Rs17 to Rs19 per kg, locally produced garlic for Rs120 to Rs126 per kg, Thai ginger for Rs42 to Rs44 per kg, Chinese ginger for Rs73 to Rs77 per kg, Chinese garlic for Rs140 to 146 per kg, brinjals for Rs28 to Rs31 per kg, local cucumbers for Rs32 to Rs35 per kg and another variety for Rs18 to Rs20 per kg.

Bitter gourds were available for Rs30 to Rs33 per kg, spinach Rs17 to Rs19 per kg, lemon desi (special) Rs170 to Rs176 per kg and lemon desi (average quality) Rs104 to Rs110 per kg. Fenugreek (methi) was available for Rs50 to Rs53 per kg, cabbage Rs15 to Rs17 for per kg, cauliflower for Rs48 to Rs51 per kg, bottle gourd for Rs22 to Rs24 per kg, green chilies for Rs32 to Rs35 per kg, capsicum for Rs42 to Rs44 per kg and taro roots (arvi) for Rs65 to Rs69 per kg.

Food Minister Bilal Yasin on Tuesday directed the district administration to ensure availability of all products at the bazaars. “The government will not tolerate any negligence in the operation of Ramazan Bazaars. The government is spending Rs5 billion for provision of good quality products at subsidised rates. We will ensure that the benefit passes to the common man,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2016.