Profiteers enjoy delay in app update

Administration urges citizens to check commodity prices online

LAHORE:

The Lahore district administration has urged citizens to rely on the Qeemat Punjab mobile app to verify official prices of essential commodities while shopping. However, on Sunday, a crucial day for weekly grocery shopping, the app still displayed Saturday's rates, leaving consumers unable to cross-check prices to protect themselves from overcharging.

This week saw a general upward trend in the market prices of perishable items, with many vegetables and fruits recording significant increases, exacerbating the situation for consumers.

While the price of live chicken was officially reduced by Rs10 per kilogram to Rs304-318, it was sold at significantly higher rates ranging from Rs400 to Rs430 per kg. Chicken meat, fixed at Rs461, was sold for Rs500 to Rs680 per kg.

The price of potatoes declined by Rs5 per kg, with A-grade fixed at Rs85-90 but sold for Rs130-150. B-grade potatoes, officially priced at Rs75-80, were sold at Rs100-120 per kg.

A similar trend was observed in onions, where the official price of A-grade was reduced by Rs7 per kg to Rs130-138, but market rates ranged from Rs180 to Rs200.

Tomatoes experienced a price cut of Rs44 per kilogram, with A-grade fixed at Rs90-96 but sold for Rs160-200 in different areas of the metropolis.

Garlic prices saw mixed trends, with the local variety increasing by Rs20 to Rs510-530 but sold at Rs800 per kg. The Chinese variety experienced a reduction of Rs45 per kg, fixed at Rs610-630, but sold at Rs800-1,000.

Among fruits, bananas saw an increase of Rs5 per dozen, with A-category officially priced at Rs125-130 per dozen but sold at Rs160-180.

Pomegranates and grapes also witnessed considerable disparities, with market rates often double the official prices.