Prices of essential items go up again

Open market witnesses Rs30 to Rs35 hike in rates of pulses

RAWALPINDI:

The prices of essential items have increased yet again making it difficult for middle and low-income households to make ends meet.

On the last day of 2023, the rate of pulses increased by Rs30 to Rs35 per kg while essential items such as milk, meat, bread, chicken, and eggs broke inflation records. In the open market, the cost of live chicken is Rs370 per kg, chicken meat is priced at Rs580 per kg, broiler farm eggs are available at Rs380 per dozen, farm red chicken eggs are valued at Rs450 per dozen while domestic eggs are priced at Rs750 per dozen.

Mutton is currently priced at Rs2,200 per kg, beef at Rs1,200, milk at Rs210, yoghurt is being sold for Rs220, white chickpeas for Rs400, potatoes for Rs80, onions for Rs190, tomatoes for Rs120, garlic for Rs550, ginger for Rs600, capsicum for Rs200, peas for Rs200, cabbage for Rs150, bitter gourd for Rs180, lemons for Rs90 and cucumber for Rs80, radish for Rs40 and carrot for Rs50 per kg. Similarly, coriander is being sold at Rs50 per bunch.

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Further, fruit prices have also skyrocketed with apples being sold at Rs260 to Rs350 per kg and bananas for Rs130 per dozen. Oranges and their type are priced at Rs150 per dozen, grapes at Rs450 per kg, guava at Rs150 per kg, pomegranate at Rs250 to Rs350 per kg, cup of tea for Rs80, flour for Rs160 per kg, sugar for Rs160 per kg, ghee for Rs460 whereas cooking oil is being sold at Rs580 per kg.

Due to the constant price hikes, Sunday markets have transformed into hubs for the sale of both low-cost and hazardous products. Despite the presence of 60 price control magistrates in Rawalpindi district, they seem helpless in regulating prices. The looming question now revolves around whether these magistrates and the administration will manage to halt the escalating rates as we step into the New Year.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 1^st, 2024