Little respite even as prices of essentials recede

Traders claim they get vegetables at inflated rates from wholesale markets

LAHORE: Though the district administration could not bring down prices of all seasonal vegetables to their previous level, a little respite is being witnessed in tomato prices following a series of crackdowns against profiteering in the city as it was sold for Rs200-230 a kilogram.

A couple of days ago tomatoes were being sold for Rs350-400 a kilogramme in the city.

Speaking to The Express Tribune on Tuesday, various greengrocers complained the government has a very flawed system of auction and price fixation at the wholesale level.

They claimed that the small traders were getting seasonal vegetables at inflated rates from wholesale markets, but price control magistrates have made their lives miserable over an increase in prices.

A greengrocer in Township areas, Muhammad Ali, said market committee officials were printing deflated rates in price list just to keep their seniors and the government happy that prices are at a reasonable level. In fact, there is a huge contrast in wholesale prices and rates mentioned in the official price list.

Inflation rises 11.4% on hike in food, energy prices

“We are getting seasonal commodities at higher rates but local administration is pushing greengrocers to reduce the vegetable rate at the retail level.

The government has shifted all wholesale markets on the outskirts of the city and transport cost has multiplied following the increase in prices of petroleum products.

In these circumstances it is impossible for greengrocers to run their businesses successfully,” he underlined.

Another street vendor, Ilyas Sheikh, said when prices of most seasonal vegetables were at lower levels no price control official was bothering to check commodity rates in markets.

“All agriculture product prices are governed by the availability of products and the principle of demand and supply.

Prices of all seasonal vegetables remained at the bottom level when the season starts but increase at end of the season,” he said.

“A couple of months ago, most seasonal vegetables were being sold between Rs70 and Rs100 a kilogramme which increased with a decrease in stocks,” he remarked. “It should be kept in mind that vegetables and fruits are perishable commodities and cannot be stored for a longer period.”

Several other vendors also made similar remarks and asked the government to streamline its price fixation and control system to address this recurring issue.

A spokesman for the Punjab Trade and Industries Department highlighted that price control magistrates have imposed over Rs3.2 million fines on traders.

They checked over 8,500 shops during the past two days and registered 114 cases against greengrocers and traders.

The department has received 1,480 complaints of overcharging. During various raids over 90 persons were arrested for selling commodities at inflated rates.

He highlighted that price control magistrates are regularly conducting raids for the monitoring of prices of essential items in the entire province.

The government has decided to show zero-tolerance against profiteering and artificial price hike.

In Pakistan, inflation drops slightly to 11% in Oct

On directives of Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, the government has established Kissan platforms in 32 model bazaars across Punjab to rein in commodity prices and facilitate farmers.

The government has provided free of cost space to farmers in model bazaars for selling their produce directly to the consumer.

Kissan platforms have been set up in 12 model bazaars in the Lahore division, one each in model bazaars of Bahawalpur and Sahiwal divisions, four each in Gujranwala and Faisalabad divisions and three each model bazaars have been set up in DG Khan and Sargodha divisions. Similarly, two Kissan platforms have been set up in the Rawalpindi division and the same number of platforms have been set up in the Multan division.

Buzdar said no compromise would be made on providing eatables to the people at reasonable rates. Kissan platforms will help to provide vegetables at subsidised rates, he added. There is no room for illegal profiteering in Punjab and indiscrimination action will be continued against hoarders and illegal profiteers.

The government is taking all possible steps to provide relief to the people, the chief minister added. 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 27^th, 2019.