Wrong, overpricing irks citizens at Sunday Bazaars

CM Taskforce chairman says zero tolerance policy will be adopted from next week

LAHORE: The government has failed to ensure availability of most seasonal vegetables in weekly makeshift markets despite frequent visits of local administration and Punjab Chief Minister's Taskforce Chairman Akham Chaudhry, according to a survey of Shadman Sunday Bazaar.

Moreover, several seasonal vegetables remained unavailable at weekly Sunday Bazaars on the pretext of wrong pricing.

The market survey indicated that claims of change and good governance were proving hallow as issues related to price fixation of commodities were still hampering trade of agriculture produce across Punjab. Like previous governments, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was also a strong supporter of e-governance and automation, but in reality, neither previous nor the present government is paying attention to price fixation system, complained various citizens.

When the issue of unavailability of several seasonal vegetables was highlighted before the taskforce chairman, market committee officials claimed that the quality of these products was not satisfactory so they ordered the removal of these products from stalls. Chaudhry told the media that a zero tolerance policy would be adopted from the next week onwards. The government would ensure availability of all seasonal produce and take action against vendors found involved in overcharging or sales of substandard items, he said. "The violators will be sent to jail instead of issuing a warning and imposing fines on them," he said and added that he would also visit open markets to check quality and prices of perishable commodities.

Various citizens, including Muhammad Hanif, Aslam Butt, Nighat Begum, and several others, highlighted that seasonal vegetables, like radish, carrot, cauliflower, turnip, brinjal and green chilli were unavailable at the weekly makeshift market. "Vendors are claiming that the government has fixed wrong prices of these commodities in the official price list that's why they are unable to sell these items at notified rates," a citizen Rahat Khalil pointed out.

Several citizens were of the view that greengrocers were selling sub-standard, assorted and staled products at premium rates for A-grade items at Sunday Bazaars. "What is the use of these makeshift markets if the government cannot ensure implementation of official rates, questioned another citizen, Muhammad Buksh.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, various vendors claimed that their procurement cost for various items was higher than notified rates so it would cause them huge losses if they sell these commodities at rates mentioned in the official price list.

Price comparison of seasonal products showed that prices of potato remained stable as it was being traded at Rs8-10 per kilogramme at Sunday Bazaars and Rs20-25 per kilogramme at open markets. Onion price also remained unchanged as it was sold for Rs17-19 per kilogramme. However, several citizens complained about onion quality being sold.

No respite was witnessed in tomato price as it was sold between Rs103 and Rs110 per kilogramme while the same was available at Rs140-160 per kilogramme in open markets. Local garlic price showed a declining trend as it was available for Rs92-95 per kilogramme while the price of Chinese garlic variety witnessed an increase of Rs10 per kilogram as it was sold for Rs140-145. Thai garlic price was reduced by Rs5per kilogramme and fixed at Rs126-131.

Similarly, Chinese ginger price remained stable at Rs155-160 per kilogramme. Farmed cucumber price was fixed at Rs33-35 per kilogramme but it was sold for Rs40  due to the negligence of local administrator.

Overcharging on seasonal fruits was also witnessed at makeshift markets as the orange price was fixed at Rs88-90 a dozen but it was traded at Rs80-120 a dozen. Prices of different citrus varieties were fixed between Rs53 and Rs100 a dozen but these were sold at higher rates. Several citizens complained that fruit vendors were fleecing citizen by fixing the citrus unit to kilogramme instead of the tradition of dozens but no government department was taking action against them.