Vendors continue to fleece customers despite govt action

The price of a dozen of bananas was Rs40 some weeks before Ramazan, but now it was between Rs180 and Rs200.

LAHORE: It seems the government machinery has been ineffective in tackling the exorbitant rates at which substandard items are being sold in Ramazan bazaars. Despite government crackdowns, essential commodities are going at prices much higher than listed by the authorities.

Speaking to The Express Tribune on Thursday, citizens complained vendors were selling substandard fruits, vegetables and other edible items at higher prices in most of the city. A resident of Township area, Faheem, asked the provincial government to ensure essential food items at affordable prices everywhere in the city.

On Model Town Link Road, another local pointed out that vendors had hidden price lists to fleece customers.

Dildar Hussain, a resident of Garhi Shahu, said prices were constantly increasing since the start of the holy month. He added quality food items at economical prices had never been the priority of the government.

Maryam, meanwhile, said hoarders and profiteers were operating like mafias due a lack of checks and balances, “Visits of politicians to Ramazan markets is nothing more than a photo shoot opportunity and publicity stunt.”



Afaq Mobeen said the price of a dozen of bananas was Rs40 some weeks before Ramazan, but now it was hovering between Rs180 and Rs200.

Khursheed Zehra, a mother of two children, expressed serious concern over the inflation and sale of substandard food items in the markets. “It is very difficult for low income families to get healthy foods at affordable prices. The government has been brought to its knees in front of hoarders and fruit mafias.”

Punjab Minister for Planning and Development Malik Nadeem Kamran had ordered authorities to ensure the availability of daily-use items at fixed rates. He ordered strict checks on prices at open markets.

He issued these directions while presiding over a cabinet committee on the Ramazan Plan 2017. The minister praised the efforts of deputy commissioners and others for ensuring satisfactory arrangements at Ramazan markets. He ordered these arrangements be further improved with a focus on basic facilities.



Chief Secretary Punjab Capt (r) Zahid Saeed said price control magistrates had been asked to increase the crackdown on overpricing. He added 74,764 raids had been conducted which resulted in 1,612 FIRs and the arrest of 1,462 persons for profiteering. He said the number of madni dastarkhawans set up in the province had reached 1,870.

The meeting was attended by Punjab Minister for Food Bilal Yasin, MPA Haji Nawaz, the additional chief secretary as well as the industries and information secretaries. Also present were the Lahore deputy commissioner and officers of the agriculture and livestock departments.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10^th, 2017.