Citizens upset about increase in commodity prices

Food minister says there is no flour crisis and it is being provided at low rates

LAHORE: Provincial Minister for Food Samiullah Chaudhry said on Sunday that there is no crisis of flour in Punjab.

“Standardised and quantified flour has been provided to the people at cheap rates.”

He expressed these views while visiting the special sale point of wheat flour at Shadman Sunday Bazaar.

While speaking to the media representatives, the food minister said that 20kg flour bag was sold at Rs790 and 10kg flour bag at Rs395 in the model bazaars.

He further said that 814 flour mills were operational in Punjab and flour had been available at 181 truck stations, while 367 sale points have been set up by the flour mills.

“There are large reserves of wheat and flour in Punjab,” he remarked, adding “Crackdown has been carried out against hoarders and profiteers.”

The district management had been concerned about wheat flour shortage. The deputy commissioner and assistant commissioners visited the makeshift markets of the city to check the flour supply. Punjab Food Secretary Waqas Ali Mehmood, Deputy Commissioner Lahore Danish Afzaal and Director Food Wajid Ali Shah were also present on this occasion.

While the administration focused on ensuring the flour supply in the weekly makeshift markets, the greengrocers and vendors continued to fleece citizens in the Sunday Bazaars. Weekly makeshift markets survey portrayed that greengrocers took full advantage of the administration’s attention towards flour and openly sold B-grade and blended products at A-grade prices.

Reportedly, at several stalls, shoppers also complained about overcharging and non-compliance of official price list.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, various citizens complained about low-quality wheat flour sold at high-prices.  “Most vendors are selling sub-standard fruits and vegetables at premium product prices,” said a citizen Farah Khan.

Speaking about the grievances of the general public, the food minister highlighted that any person who has a complaint about the price and availability of flour can contact the food department directly.

He said, “The food department imposed a fine of Rs140 million on 525 flour mills for violating the rules, suspended license of 125 and also suspended irresponsible and lazy officers of the department.”

A survey showed that trucks carrying flour were parked outside Sunday bazaars but hardly any rush was seen. Wheat flour sellers highlighted that citizens who regularly bought flour from them had already purchased it for the week.

The price list shows that the price of potato soft skin A-grade was increased by Rs2 per kilogramme, fixed at Rs33 to 37 per kg which too was unavailable. However, B-grade potato was fixed at Rs29 to 33 per kg but sold at Rs37 per kg. The price of A-grade onion was reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs41 to 45 per kg which too has not been available while the B-grade was priced at Rs37 to 41 per kg, but sold at Rs45 per kg.

The price of A-grade tomato was reduced by Rs40 per kg, fixed at Rs72 to 80 per kg. Mixed tomatoes were sold at Rs 80 per kg. Local garlic price was increased by Rs11 per kg, fixed at Rs 240 to 258 per kg, sold at Rs 280 per kg. Chinese Garlic has been fixed at Rs 45 to 255 per kg, sold at Rs 320 per kg.  Chinese Ginger price was reduced by Rs 39 per kg, fixed at Rs 265 to 289 per kg, sold at Rs 320 per kg.

Brinjal was fixed at Rs 87 to 90 per kg. However, it was not sold on account of wrong pricing. Farm Cucumber price fell by Rs 20 per kg, fixed at Rs 46 to 48 per kg, sold at Rs 50 per kg. Bitter gourd price was gained by Rs 13 per kg, fixed at Rs 107 to 111 per kg and was not sold.

Local spinach price was gained by Rs 2 per kg, fixed at Rs 38 to 40 per kg, and farm spinach was gained by Rs 3 per kg, fixed at Rs 31 to 33 per kg, sold at Rs 40 per kg. Zucchini long was reduced by Rs 7 per kg, fixed at 65 to 68 per kg. It was not sold due to the wrong pricing issue. The price of Chinese Lemon was gained by Rs 6 per kg, fixed at Rs 53 to 56 per kg, sold at Rs 80 per kg.

Cauliflower was reduced by Rs 5 per kg, fixed at Rs 38 to 40 per kg, sold at Rs 50 per kg, and cabbage was increased by Rs 5 per kg, fixed at Rs 43 to 45 per kg, sold at Rs 50 per kg. Pumpkin was gained by Rs 16 per kg, fixed at Rs 89 to 92 per kg, not on an account of wrong pricing.

Lady finger price was increased by Rs 7 per kg, unchanged at Rs 110 to 115 per kg and was not sold. Green chili price was fixed at Rs 130 to 135 per kg and it was not available due to the pricing issue.

Capsicum price was increased by Rs 10 per kg, fixed at Rs 165 to 170 per kg, sold at Rs 200 per kg. The price of pea was reduced by Rs 20 per kg, fixed at Rs 125 to 130 per kg. The local carrot was reduced by Rs one per kg, fixed at Rs 31 to 33 per kg, sold at Rs 35 per kg. Beans were sold at Rs 200 per kg while no rates were issued.

Turnip price was gained by Rs 3 per kg, fixed at Rs 26 to 28 per kg, sold at Rs 30 per kg. Mustard leaves price was fixed at Rs 28 to 30 per kg. Radish price was fixed at Rs 12 to 13 per kg, sold at Rs 15 to 20 per kg. Beetroot was fixed at Rs 40 to 45 per kg, sold at Rs 50 per kg.

The authorities should address the concerns of the citizens regarding the price hike in the provincial capital.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th, 2020.