Official rate lists just for show

Like it does every other year during Ramazan, the provincial government has directed the district administrations across Sindh to be vigilant about official rate lists to keep artificial inflation in check; however, as always, official rate lists remain mere words on paper.

For instance, as per the official rate lists for fruit, prices of first and second class bananas are fixed at Rs 170 and Rs 138, per dozen, respectively; prices for papayas are Rs 138 and Rs158 per kilogram (kg); prices for apples range between Rs 143 to 219 rupees per kg; melons for Rs 150 per kg; guavas for Rs 150 per kg, oranges for Rs 161 to Rs 248 per dozen; and strawberries for Rs 196 per 450 grams.

However, a market survey carried out by the Express Tribune, reveals that prices are in fact much higher than those in the official rate lists. Bananas are retailing between Rs 150 to Rs 250 per dozen, papayas between Rs 230 to Rs 250 per kg, apples between Rs 250 to Rs 300 per kg, melons for Rs 200 per kg, guavas for Rs 200 per kg, oranges for Rs 300 to Rs 350 per dozen; and strawberries for Rs 500 to 600 per kilogram. This apparent disregard for official rate lists and their lack of implementation has perturbed the populace of the port city. Mohammad Azam, a resident of the Gulshan-e-Hadeed area, told the Express Tribune that in-demand fruits like bananas and apples are being sold for twice the official rate. “Our local fruit vendors are retailing bananas for Rs 300 per dozen and apples for Rs 400 per kg,” informed Azam.

The situation is the same on the other side of town, in the Nazimabad area. Arslan Ahmed, a resident of the area, regretfully informed the Express Tribune that fruit was being sold at a premium. “It is absurd that strawberries are being sold for Rs 700 per kg in Nazimabad,” a perplexed Ahmed said. Residents of Lyari are as confused as Ahmed at the prices of fruit but not surprised. Muhammad Bakhsh, a resident of Lyari, remarked that every year during Ramazan the prices of fruits and other food items are increased and people are forced to be okay with such prices. Concurring with Bakhsh, Ghulam Asghar, a resident of Rafiq Centre, asserted that many shopkeepers do not even display official rate lists and only do so whenever a magistrate visits for routine checks. In light of the assertions made by Bakhsh and Asghar, the Express Tribune contacted the Deputy Commissioner of South District, Altaf Ahmad, to inquire about the disregard for official rate lists, but did not hear back from him. The Express Tribune also contacted the Commissioner's Karachi’s office, in this regard.

“We are taking action against those who sell fruit at high prices. However, people should file complaints to the relevant forums to assist in keeping rates in check,” informed the Spokesperson to the Commissioner, Sattar Javed.