Food prices continue upward surge

Price control failures leave markets, buyers in a fix

RAWALPINDI:

Even as the government promises relief amid rampant inflation, the district price control system has failed to keep a check on prices.

The last 24 hours has witnessed the price of chicken increase by Rs50 per kg. The price of pulses and rice has increased by Rs20 to Rs25 per kg in a day while the price of broiler shaver farm eggs has spiked by Rs8 per dozen and the price of domestic eggs by Rs25 per dozen. The price for a bag of sugar has increased by Rs300 in two days.

This was the situation even as the government promised benefits to the people following a Rs40 reduction in petrol prices. However, traders say that the price of diesel was only reduced by Rs15, and it remained above Rs300 per litre.

Some traders also complained that the local magistrates responsible for monitoring prices were taking supplies free-of-charge from the market and not enforcing the price caps. They said the situation was rampant in the twin cities, with people facing affordability issues even at Sunday Bazaars.

There are around 60 price control magistrates across the district. The magistrates and assistant commissioners do not visit the markets, traders said. Their clerks, watchmen and security guards use those power by proxy and have started getting food items free-of-charge by threatening the shopkeepers of fines.

The 20 subsidized markets set up by the district administration have also failed and often only have ‘rotten’ fruit to sell. The administration and police have also failed to provide cleanliness and security in all Sunday markets.

Read: Food prices as big a concern for consumers as energy bills

The grocery shops across the district have stopped selling food items on the prices fixed by the deputy commissioner (DC) and have demanded the prices be fixed in light of the new market.

Price ascent

Green Coriander used to be provided free-of-charge with vegetables. Now, it was being sold for Rs100. The price of peas was at Rs550 per kg, chicken meat was sold at Rs590 per kg. The price of mutton was at Rs2200 per kg and beef at Rs1100 per kg. Shaver eggs were at Rs335 per dozen, and desi eggs at Rs750 per dozen.

The price of white chickpea was at Rs430 per kg, milk was around Rs200 per litre, yogurt was Rs220 per kg, bread at Rs25, naan was at Rs30 and paratha was selling for Rs60.

A similar increase in price was visible in other items with a cup of tea now available for Rs80.

Fruits and vegetables have also witnessed another upsurge in prices with potato at Rs128 per kg, onion at Rs130, lemon at Rs180, tomato at Rs170 per kg, cucumber at Rs100, radish at Rs50, and carrot at Rs150.

The price of apples was between Rs250 to Rs300 per kg, bananas at Rs150 per dozen, sweet lime at Rs200 per dozen, guava at Rs180 per kg, grapes at Rs350 per kg and grape rounds at Rs300 per kg.

Sajjad Ahmed, a buyer, said that the rates were slightly lower in Sunday and Sahulat markets, but the quality was not at par.

He said that for some essential items, the prices were also extremely high. He said that previously he would get his weekly ration for Rs2,000. “Now, I end up spending Rs5,000 and still don’t have all the items I need.”

Meanwhile, an office holder of a collective of grocery shop owners, Salim Pervez Butt said that they met the district administration on October 17 regarding fixing prices of food items. He added that while the price of diesel was reduced marginally, but the administration reduced the rates of pulses.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 30^th, 2023.