Merchants protest official rates

RAWALPINDI:

The Grocery Merchants Association in Rawalpindi Division has ceased the sale of pulses, rice, and white gram at the fixed rates mandated by the deputy commissioners as a form of protest.

This decision stems from the recent increase in general sales tax, which has created a significant price gap between the market wholesale prices and the official rates, with disparities ranging from Rs60 to Rs100 per kg.

Additionally, the new budget has introduced numerous taxes, further complicating the situation for grocery merchants. The association has issued an ultimatum, stating that if reforms are not enacted and heavy fines and challans are not abolished, all grocery shops across Punjab will be forced to shut down entirely.

Saleem Parvez Butt, President of the Central Association of Grocery Merchants, expressed his concern over the rising wholesale prices of pulses in the markets, which have surged by Rs60 to Rs100 per kg. He criticised the deputy commissioner for coercively enforcing the sale of pulses, white chickpeas, and rice at artificially low fixed prices, while simultaneously issuing heavy fines and challans, which he described as unacceptable.

All provincial central district leaders of the Grocery Merchants Association have collectively urged the deputy commissioners and the government to address the escalating wholesale prices of pulses, white gram, and rice.

They highlighted the significant increase in these prices in the wholesale markets. Moreover, price control magistrates are imposing hefty fines based on what the association considers unjustified challans. The association demands that the government and deputy commissioners establish appropriate profit margins for retailers and grocery merchants that reflect the current wholesale rates.

While vendors are willing to cooperate, they cannot be expected to purchase expensive pulses, rice, and white gram at high wholesale prices and then sell them at the artificially low prices.