Price hike: Govt ‘fails to rein in prices’ at Ramazan Bazaars

Shoppers complain of bad quality of food products on sale

LAHORE/FAISALABAD: Authorities have failed to control the prices of fruits, vegetables and other items in Ramazan Bazaars, citizens visiting the bazaars complain. Prices of several fruits and vegetables have doubled in Ramazan Bazaars since the start of Ramazan. Vendors were selling second grade and sub-standard food items in Ramazan Bazaars. Shoppers also complained of overcharging.

Sohail, a shopper at the Shadman Bazaar, said that vendors were selling lower quality products. “Government officials and elected representatives are paying surprise visits to Ramazan Bazaars, but they have failed to provide relief,” he said.

Mrs Saleem, another shopper, said that prices of almost all fruits and vegetables had increased. “Tomatoes were selling for Rs15 to Rs20 per kilogramme before Ramazan. However, now they are available for Rs70 per kg in the open market. Similar is the case with spinach, pumpkins, cabbage, and other vegetables. I do not see an effective price control mechanism in place. Shopkeepers have their individual prices,” she said.

According to the official price list, a 110 to 135 per cent increase has been recorded in the prices of cabbage, pumpkin, tomatoes and spinach since the start of Ramazan. Tomatoes were available for Rs17 to Rs19 per kg on the first day of Ramazan. They are now selling for Rs39 to Rs41 - an increase of 116 per cent. In the open market, tomatoes are selling for Rs65 and Rs70 per kg.

Cabbage prices have risen by 135 per cent. It is now available for Rs38 to Rs40 per kg. Pumpkin prices rose by 129 per cent to settle at Rs14 to Rs16 per kg. Spinach prices have increased by 110 per cent during the first 20 days of Ramazan. It is now available for Rs38 to Rs40 per kg in the Ramazan Bazaars.

Carrots prices rose by 90 per cent. They were available for Rs35 to Rs38 per kg. Similarly, prices of round gourd rose by 32 per cent. It is available for Rs58 to Rs62 per kg. Farmed cucumber and capsicum prices rose by 30 and 27 per cent respectively. Cucumbers were available for Rs24 to Rs26 per kg and capsicum for Rs53 to Rs56 per kg.

Potatoes (thin skinned) are being sold for Rs30 to Rs32 per kg, sugar-free potatoes for Rs23 to Rs25 per and stored potatoes for Rs18 to Rs20 per kg.

Desi green chili prices rose by 17 per cent to settle at Rs39 to Rs41 per kg. Bottle gourd, green peas and bringle prices rose by 16 per cent. Bringle is now available for Rs33 to Rs36, bottle gourd for Rs26 to Rs28 and peas for Rs94 to Rs99 per kg.

Local garlic prices rose by 12 per cent. It is now being sold for Rs135 to Rs140 per kg. A Chinese variety is selling for Rs156 to Rs162 per. Cauliflower prices rose by 9 per cent. It is now available for Rs53 to Rs56 per kg. A Chinese variety is selling Rs76 to Rs80 per kg. Lemon prices have declined by 33 to 37 per cent. It is now selling for Rs104 to Rs110 per kg. A second grade variety is selling for Rs104 to Rs110 per kg. Bitter gourd prices fell by 24 per cent. It is now selling for Rs23 to Rs25 per kg. Onion prices have decreased by 15 per cent. They are selling for Rs25 to Rs27 per kg. Desi cucumber prices declined by 11 per cent and taro root (arvi) and lady finger by 10 per cent. Cucumbers are selling for Rs28 to Rs31 per kg, taro roots for Rs58 to Rs62 per kg and lady finger for Rs36 to Rs38 per kg.

Faisalabad

Shoppers in Faisalabad also expressed concern over the price and quality of fruits being sold at Ramazan Bazaars.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Ali Raza, a shopper at the People’s Colony Bazaar, said that the prices of fruits were higher as compared to last year. “Authorities have failed to control prices,” he said.  Subhan Ali, a district government spokesman, said that more than a dozen teams had been constituted to monitor prices.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 27^th, 2016.