Food prices surge with magistrates on election duty

DC takes notice and asks officials to submit report

GUJRANWALA: The prices of vegetables, fruits and all other basic food items have witnessed a surge of 10% to 30%, thus increasing the burden on the already troubled common man.

At least 32 price control magistrates in the city have been assigned election duties which have hampered the process of monitoring and surveillance of prices.



While speaking to Express News, harassed citizens complained that prices of daily commodities like sugar, rice, pulses, chicken, beef, mutton, vegetables and fruit prices have shot up in local markets.

They said shopkeepers have increased the prices of daily-use items on their own as authorities have failed to keep a check on profiteering. The locals added the price control system of the district government appears to have collapsed in absence of a concrete plan.

People in markets said that the price lists issued by the local administration served as nothing more than showpieces as shopkeepers were blatantly ignoring them.

Most wholesalers and retailers, particularly of fruits, vegetables and milk, are enjoying a free hand to fleece the consumers. The price of milk has also surged by Rs10 to Rs20 and it is being sold at Rs100 to Rs110 per kg. The previous price per kilogramme of milk was Rs80 to Rs90.

Similarly, goat meat is being sold at Rs880 per kg instead of the prescribed government rate of Rs680 per kg.

Buffalo meat has also witnessed a sharp increase as it is being sold at Rs450 in the market. The government’s approved price is Rs350 per kg.

A similar increase has been seen in the prices of other items, which were increased a few days earlier, and the trend continues.

Fruit vendors are also not far behind in the race and are overcharging customers without any fear of being penalised or caught by the authorities concerned.



The consumers complained that prices could only be reduced if the administration took stern action against profiteers. They demanded relief from the district government.

Meanwhile, the Gujranwala deputy commissioner has taken notice of consumer complaints and asked relevant officials to submit a detailed report on the matter. He said that those involved in profiteering would be dealt with an iron fist.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14^th, 2018.