High prices of commodities irk Bahawalpur residents

BAHAWALPUR: Prices of many essential commodities have skyrocketed in Ramazan in open market and Sunday bazaars of Bahawalpur district that has affected the buying capacity of the consumers.

The government holds meetings with stakeholders each year ahead of the holy month of Ramazan, without assessing the local production of various crops, demand and supply gap, import and export of commodities, etc. As a result, rates are fixed on the higher side on the pressure of market players.

For the past few years, the government has been issuing monthly wholesale and retail prices which do not match with the rates prevailing in the market.

Many retailers display official price lists to avoid fines on random checking by officials, but they literally ignore lists and resort to overcharging.

A random market survey revealed that vegetables and fruits were being sold in the market on double rates.



Banana was being sold at Rs200 a dozen as compared to Rs80 before Ramazan. Similarly, apples were being sold at Rs300 per kilogramme as compared to Rs140, while plums, peach, apricots and pomegranate were sold between Rs200 to Rs250 per kilogramme as compared to Rs120 per kilogramme.



Likewise, a surge in prices of sugar, rice, meat and flour was also recorded. The district administration fixed the price of yogurt at Rs70 per kilogramme however, most of the milk sellers were selling it between Rs80 to Rs100 per kilogramme.

In view of the situation, the government’s claim of providing products on discounted and cheap rates seems to be a distant dream for the people of Bahawalpur. The officials and magistrates pay visits to the markets but they fail to enforce their writ and shopkeepers continue to sell items on increased rates.

While speaking to The Express Tribune, Bahawalpur Deputy Commissioner Rana Muhammad Saleem Afzal said, “We will provide people with best quality fruits and vegetables on controlled prices.” He added, “The business community should voluntarily reduce the prices of fruits and vegetables so that people can get relief.”

“We need to eliminate the artificial crisis created by vendors to facilitate the masses,” he remarked.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 2^nd, 2017.