Shehbaz takes notices of hike in vegetables prices

Says price control committee should visit markets to review prices and take action against hoarders


Correspondent September 25, 2017
PHOTO: REUTERS

LAHORE: Taking notice of vegetable price hike in Punjab, Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered a strict crackdown against hoarders, however, the traders claim the situation would further exacerbate in coming days.

Sitting in London, the CM instructed the Provincial Cabinet Committee for Price Control to take necessary action against hoarders of vegetables. He directed the price control committee to take immediate steps to provide public with vegetables at the discounted prices.

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He also instructed the departments concerned to take necessary initiatives and play an active and vibrant role to bring stability in prices. He ordered the price control magistrates to keep a strict check on prices and take indiscriminate action against profiteers and those who cause hike in prices of vegetables.

“The committee should visit markets and bazaars to review prices and make sure that there is no compromise on quality as well,” he added.

Shehbaz said the people could not be left at the mercy of hoarders. “I will not let the profiteers and hoarders to exploit the masses,” he warned.

On the other hand, city traders expect the situation to further deteriorate in coming 10 days. The price of tomatoes that currently hovered between Rs160 and Rs180 was expected to increase by another Rs50 to Rs100 due to short supply. Muhammad Ali, a vegetable trader, said the supply of tomatoes was mostly coming from Afghanistan due to which the price was high. He said the customs duties and transport contribute to the increased price of tomatoes.

Vegetable production competition

He said only four trucks came to Lahore from Baluchistan on Sunday and this supply from within the country was insufficient for a city like Lahore. “To meet the shortage, we have to rely on imported tomatoes which were expensive compared to the local,” he said while explaining the reason behind price hike. In previous years, he said tomatoes and onions were imported from India due to which price remained stable throughout the year. “The supply from Baluchistan will reduce in coming days and we will only be relying on imported tomatoes. The price may shoot up to Rs250 per kilogramme or even more,” he remarked.

He also predicted that the situation would continue for another two weeks or so as supply from local farms would be resumed soon after tomato crops were ready for harvest. He also explained that hoarding was not the major cause behind this increase.

Meanwhile, the District Commissioner Office has continued crackdown against hoarders and traders for selling tomatoes on higher prices. According DC office, the price of tomatoes for Saturday was around Rs110 and around 50 shopkeepers were arrested for selling tomatoes at higher prices. The office has also suggested people to buy tomatoes according to their need and there was not need to stock the vegetable.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25th, 2017.

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