Administration fails to rein in food prices

The district administration has failed to rein in overcharging in the provincial capital despite the recent establishment of a department tasked with enforcing official price lists and ensuring the availability of perishable commodities at regulated rates.

The new department has also proven largely ineffective in addressing the problem thus far.

This week saw a mixed trend in the prices of perishable goods, with the cost of most vegetables continuing to rise. Seasonal fruits also experienced price hikes. The public remains burdened by the non-enforcement of official price lists, a situation that reflects a lack of seriousness from elected representatives toward basic public concerns.

The price of live chicken remained unchanged for the third consecutive week, with the official rate fixed at Rs397-411 per kg, though it was being sold at Rs460-490 per kg. Chicken meat, officially priced at Rs595 per kg, was sold at Rs670-960 per kg.

The official price of A-grade sugar-free potatoes dropped by Rs2 per kg, fixed at Rs77-83, but were sold at Rs140-150 per kg. B-grade potatoes were priced at Rs65-70 and C-grade at Rs 55-60, with mixed varieties being sold for Rs100-120 per kg.

Onions saw a reduction, with A-grade onions decreasing by Rs15 per kg, priced at Rs 25-135 per kg but sold at Rs180-200 per kg. B-grade onions dropped by Rs 10 per kg, fixed at Rs113-120 per kg and C-grade at Rs 100-105 per kg, while mixed onions were sold at Rs140-150 per kg.

Tomato prices also fell, with A-grade tomatoes dropping by Rs78 per kg to Rs85-92, but sold at Rs150-160 per kg. B-grade tomatoes were fixed at Rs70-75 per kg and C-grade at Rs60-65, but mixed tomatoes were sold for Rs120-140 per kg.

Garlic prices remained largely unchanged. Local garlic was priced at Rs380-400 per kg, but sold at Rs500-600 per kg, while the Harnai variety, priced at Rs410-430 per kg, was sold at Rs600 per kg. The price of the GI variety of garlic decreased by Rs15 per kg, fixed at Rs210-220 per kg, but was sold at Rs350-400 per kg. The Chinese variety was priced at Rs530-550 per kg but sold at Rs800-1,000.

Fruit prices were similarly volatile. Apples of various varieties were fixed at Rs100-230 per kg but sold at up to Rs400. The price of bananas was fixed at Rs120-125, but sold at Rs180 per dozen.