Govt fails to control prices of tomatoes despite claims

Even after importing tomatoes, price is still hovering between Rs140 to Rs150 per kg

LAHORE: The provincial and district governments have failed to rein in prices of essential commodities, especially fresh vegetables and fruits.

A market survey conducted by The Express Tribune shows that with a few exceptions, the prices of most of the seasonal vegetables are around Rs100 due to inefficient price control system in the city. Even after importing tomatoes from Iran and other countries the price is still hovering between Rs140 to Rs150 per kilogramme.



The Lahore Market Committee’s official price list shows that the government has fixed tomato price at Rs115 to Rs122 and Rs116 to Rs120 per kg for open market and Sunday bazaars but tomatoes are being sold for Rs140 to Rs150 per kg in the market. Even though the government has ensured availability at Sunday bazaars, most shoppers complained about poor quality and high price of the available variety.

Citizens also complained that instead of controlling prices and ensuring availability of tomatoes at Sunday bazaars, the government has lost its control on onions too.

Muhammad Rafiq, who was visiting Shadman Sunday bazaar, said that it was one of the biggest Sunday markets in the city where ministers, deputy commissioner and other senior officials are seen regularly, yet the bazaar management had failed to make onions available at stalls.

“If this is the situation at Shadman, what can we expect at other makeshift markets in the city,” he said.



Another citizen, Mrs Mudassar Sheikh, said vendors have displayed price lists indicating onions price is fixed at Rs68 to Rs70 per kg in Sunday Bazaars but they have no stock for sale. “The same onions are available for Rs80 to Rs85 per kg just outside the makeshift market. But no one is available to check this malpractice,” she said. “I am unable to understand what the use of these makeshift markets is if the government cannot ensure fair price and availability.”

Nasir Javed, another shopper, said the entire state machinery is focused on making tomatoes available as the chief minister took notice of public complaints but nobody is paying attention to the rest of the commodities. He said prices of most seasonal vegetables are on the higher side but nobody is controlling prices.

Speaking to media on Sunday, Price Control Committee Chairman Mian Usman claimed that the government has launched a crackdown against profiteers and has plans to further strengthen the system. He said that price control magistrates are regularly inspecting prices in markets and good results are being witnessed because of surprise visits.

He pointed out that the government is setting up an efficient market intelligence system to strengthen price control mechanism in the city. “This new system will help government departments to promptly take action against profiteers selling essential commodities at higher rates.”

Usman also claimed that officials of the government price control teams are taking indiscriminate action against profiteers, no matter how big or small their business is. He added that it was a wrong impression that price control magistrates are taking action against small shopkeepers only.

The Lahore division commissioner and deputy commissioner are supervising all price control efforts daily and it is impossible for any official to deceive the system, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 9^th, 2017.