PHOTO: FILE
A Qeemat Punjab user, Wasim Tahir, highlights that even after mentioning his city during sign up, the app is showing different districts and cities when he checks commodity prices. In addition, the app seeks permission to access user
data and location, but this information is not being used properly to set user preferences. Another user, Sajjad Ali, says the app is not allowing users to sign in by showing an invalid details message. Similarly, a user, Muhammad Ramzan, says, “Bad experience. Whenever I try to open this it doesn't open. Always giving a message that ‘there is no internet connection’. While every other app opens, there is the internet with more than 100kb/ sec speed on my phone…” Sajjad Khalid, another Qeemat Punjab app user, points out that the app does not let him enter his name and phone number after adding products in the cart. “So online ordering function is not working properly.” He also complains that he ordered some products, which had been delivered to his doorstep within 28 hours, but neither his order’s status was updated in the app nor he got any intimation about his order through SMS or email.
“I have recommended this app to my friends who made online orders for fresh fruit and seasonal vegetables but none of them received delivery,” he complained and added that Punjab government should keep this great initiative alive by fixing these glitches.
App user Muneeb Ahmad says, “Tried home delivery today. The rider was cooperative and polite, delivery time was within 24 hours, satisfied with quality and quantity. Just one issue, the bag for one of the heavier items was single so it tore and the weight of that item was less by half a kg due to that. Kindly improve the packing of heavier items and make
other items available that aren't yet available.” Malik Mudassir suggests that prices of some seasonal vegetables are not showing in Qeemat Punjab app. He said the government should also add mutton and beef prices, which were missing. Similarly, Sajid Nadeem says it is a good initiative, but he is unable to understand why the PITB is promoting third-party shopping apps under “Fresh Online” tab of Qeemat Punjab. Raheel Ahmad claims that the Qeemat Punjab app is showing imaginary rates. It shows milk price at Rs85 a litre which is not even the farm rate and it is being sold for Rs100-110 in the market, he says. Speaking to The Express Tribune, a spokesperson for the PITB said the board was continuously monitoring users’ feedback. Since application development is an evolutionary process, the board will issue updates after due deliberations at its end. “We have received over 23,000 complaints of various natures. Most of them are delivery related as hardly a week has passed after the government launched this initiative. Over 90% of complaints have already been resolved and work is being done to fix the rest,” he maintained. Responding to a question, he indicated that updating price data was the responsibility of the district administrations. The PITB is responsible for the functioning of the mobile application and technology part of the initiative.
“It is the first initiative of its kind which is being rolled out by the government. Lahore alone has a population of around 12 million and Punjab is the most populous province of the country. It is impossible for any organisation to cater to the diverse needs and preferences of such a huge population. The Qeemat Punjab app will get mature with the help of user feedback and cooperation and lead to curbing the menace of profiteering and artificial price hike, he concluded.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 3rd, 2020.
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