Inflated prices at Sunday bazaar irk shoppers

Lack of rate lists leaves buyers at vendors' mercy

RAWALPINDI:

The so-called "Sunday Cheap Bazaar" at Committee Chowk has become anything but affordable, with buyers expressing frustration over skyrocketing prices and the absence of a price control system.

Shoppers were left angered by the lack of a rate list, and many found that prices in the bazaar matched those in the open market.

Basic food items such as beef, mutton, chicken, and pulses have already become too expensive for many, and now the rising cost of vegetables and fruits is making it difficult for people to meet their daily needs.

Shoppers reported that vegetables and fruits were being sold at open market rates.

Onions were priced at Rs150 per kilogram, garlic at Rs700 per kilogram, tomatoes at Rs100 per kilogram, and ginger at an astounding Rs1,000 per kilogram.

Potatoes were available for Rs120 per kilogram, green chilies for Rs200, lemons for Rs120, peas for Rs400, and bitter gourd, okra, and cauliflower for Rs200, Rs200, and Rs140 per kilogram respectively.

Cucumber was also priced at Rs140 per kilogram.

Fruit prices followed a similar trend, with grapes being sold at Rs250 to Rs440 per kilogram, apples at Rs200 per kilogram, bananas at Rs100 per dozen, pomegranates at Rs300 per kilogram, Japanese persimmons at Rs200 per kilogram, and sweet oranges at Rs150 to Rs300 per dozen.

Disgruntled buyers, including Muhammad Azam, Shabbir Akhtar, Usman Ahmed, and Muhammad Shakur, voiced their dissatisfaction, stating that the so-called "cheap market" offered no financial relief.

"There is no rate list. I don't understand why we keep coming here thinking it will be cheaper. It's better to buy from local vendors in our streets," one buyer remarked.

The shoppers also questioned the government's claims that inflation has decreased. "Every day, we hear about inflation coming down, but where exactly is that happening? Let them publish the name and address of this magical place where prices have reduced so we can go shop there," they said, reflecting widespread frustration over the situation.

In the open market, chicken meat is being sold at Rs750 per kg, while live chicken is being sold at Rs420 per kg, eggs at Rs300 per dozen, mutton at Rs23,00 per kg, beef at Rs1,400 per kg, milk at Rs220 per kg and curd at Rs240 per kg,

Around 60 price control magistrates across the district are said to be simply fulfilling their formality by issuing fines to small shopkeepers and hawkers but failing to take action against wholesale dealers responsible for inflation.