Govt fails to check profiteering in Ramazan bazaars

Shoppers at Ramazan bazaars and open markets said the government has failed to provide relief to common citizen

LAHORE: Despite public complaints, court’s observation and paying billions of rupees in subsidy, district and provincial governments seem to be helpless in controlling profiteering at Ramazan bazaars.

Shoppers at different Ramazan bazaars and open markets said the government has failed to provide relief to common citizen as prices of most of the seasonal fruits and vegetables were high in Ramazan bazaars as well as open markets. Citizens complained it was another false claim of the provincial and district governments that prices of most seasonal fruits, fresh vegetables and other essential commodities were 15% to 20% lower in Ramazan bazaars when compared to open markets.

“Apparently it looks attractive that you can shop in an air-conditioned makeshift market at discounted price but when you practically go for shopping in Ramazan bazaars, you will find that most commodities in Ramazan bazaars are of ‘b’ or in some cases ‘c’ quality but the vendors ask for premium price,” Jamil Sheikh, a resident of Islampura, remarked.



He said it was true that prices in Ramazan bazaars were slightly lower when compared to the open market, but in terms of quality, open market products were much cheaper.

“You can get good bargain in open market for the product of your choice. But in Ramazan bazaar you have limited options available and fixed price,” he maintained.

Another citizen, Ali Khan, pointed out that most vendors were selling baby peaches at the price of high quality variety.

He said the government has failed to provide relief to common man even after paying Rs9 billion subsidy. “Effective results of Ramazan subsidy package are not being trickled down to common man,” he criticised.

A shopper in Model Town Ramazan Bazaar said the government should focus on improving the mechanism instead of cosmetic arrangements. “The government, instead of giving such subsidies, should reduce the cost of agriculture inputs so that the cost of production could decline,” he said.

It is interesting to note that the Lahore High Court (LHC) on last Monday summoned Lahore mayor and deputy commissioner of the provincial metropolis to appear in person and provide answers on a petition against skyrocketing prices of fruits. The judge questioned government representatives over their inability to decrease fruit prices, adding locals had already boycotted this commodity due to the exorbitant rates.

Addressing the law officer, the judge questioned the performance of the mayor. He remarked if substandard items were being sold at high rates at Ramazan bazaars, it clearly indicated a failure of the government. In most areas on Sunday citizens kept on complaining about products quality but nobody was available to provide relief.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 12^th, 2017.