Consumers decry overcharging

List by the Lahore Market Committee showed Rs18/kg drop in chicken rates

LAHORE:

Although prices of most seasonal commodities showed mixed trend, yet complaints of overcharging and profiteering could not be reduced in markets across the provincial capital on Sunday.

Official price list issued by the Lahore Market Committee showed Rs18 per kg drop in live chicken rates in comparison with last week. It showed that live bird rates had been fixed at Rs178 per kg but in most city markets traders sold it for Rs190-200 per kg owing to inefficient price control system.

Similarly, the chicken meat rate was reduced by Rs26 per kg and fixed at Rs258 per kg but it was sold above Rs300 per kg in most areas.

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The price of A-grade soft skin potato rate was reduced by Rs7 per kg, fixed at Rs30-33 per kg, while B-grade potato rate was fixed at Rs27-29 per kg. However, both varieties were sold at 20-30% above notified rates. The price of A-grade onion gained by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs34-37 per kg, but sold at Rs50 per kg.

The price of tomato A-grade was also increased by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs50-53 per kg, sold at Rs80-100 per kg, B-grade fixed at Rs45-48 per kg, and C-grade at Rs41-44 per kg. B and C quality mixed sold at Rs50-60 per kg.

Ginger Chinese was reduced by Rs25 per kg, fixed at Rs270-280 kg, but sold at Rs320 per kg, and Ginger Thai fixed at Rs205-215 per kg, sold at Rs250-280 per kg.

 

 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 17, 2022.