Sugar crisis hits Rawalpindi again

Sources say crisis triggered by district admin’s move to seal wholesale market

RAWALPINDI:

The sealing of sugar and rice wholesale markets in Rawalpindi by the district administration has triggered a shortage of sugar crisis in the garrison city.

In response to the crisis, the administration granted approval for the establishment of dedicated stalls within markets on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays to provide affordable sugar to consumers. According to officials, these stalls will offer sugar to citizens at reduced prices.

Additionally, affordable sugar will be made available via trucks stationed at central intersections throughout the city.

On the other hand, no new rates have been announced for sugar in the open market yet.

Sources privy to the development claimed the closure of the sugar wholesale market on Monday resulted in the halt of sugar supply and sales. With both wholesale and retail sugar supplies interrupted, shopkeepers in both inner city and suburban areas have started hoarding sugar.

They said shopkeepers across the city have emptied their shelves of sugar, leaving only a small quantity for sale. The scarcity of sugar supply and the absence of affordable sugar stalls have led to vendors selling sugar at Rs190 per kg.

As of now, there has been no decline in the sugar prices.

According to information from the deputy commissioner's office, plans are in motion to establish stalls offering affordable sugar across the district later this week. These stalls will require customers to present their ID cards for purchasing cheap sugar, with a limit of 2 to 5 kgs of sugar bags per ID card. The final decision and official announcement regarding this initiative are anticipated during Tuesday’s meeting chaired by the commissioner and deputy commissioner.

Moreover, the inner city has also witnessed a surge in rice prices, primarily attributed to the suspension of rice supply caused by the closure of the wholesale market. Additionally, rising electricity tariffs and increased wheat prices have driven the cost of flour to Rs180 per kg.

On the other hand, the Rawalpindi administration has accelerated the operation against hoarders.

According to a district administration spokesperson, the administration is taking strict action against sugar hoarders by conducting raids on different illegal warehouses.

He said the administration sealed 13 warehouses in Tayyaba Market, Rattaamral on Sunday night and confiscated over 1,000 sugar bags weighing 50 kilograms. The administration also sealed five shops in Dalgaraan and Naswar Bazaars for hoarding sugar.

The DC had directed the authorities concerned to take strict action against sugar hoarders, he added. The operation would continue indiscriminately, he said adding, that the citizens were also requested to report illegal hoarding of sugar. The confiscated sugar would be supplied at prescribed rates in the open market, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 12^th, 2023.