Fraudulent rate lists hike profiteering

Qeemat App fails to regularly update food prices

LAHORE:

The authorities struggled to enforce official price controls, allowing widespread overcharging in markets across the province, particularly on the eve of Eidul Fitr.

The issue of fraudulent chicken meat rate lists persisted until the final day of Ramazan, exacerbating financial strain on consumers.

Despite government claims of controlling inflation and stabilising prices, the circulation of fake poultry price lists did not draw any significant action. Chicken meat continued to be sold well above official rates.

The Punjab government's Qeemat App, designed to inform the public about daily prices of essential commodities and facilitate complaints about overpricing, also failed to update the rates regularly. This lapse left consumers unaware of fixed prices, effectively giving vendors unchecked freedom to overcharge.

With government officials on holiday for Eid, sellers seized the opportunity to impose excessive price hikes, treating overcharging as an illicit Eid windfall. In some cases, prices surged by up to 200 per cent over the official rates.

This week, the official price of live chicken was set between Rs397-411 per kg, yet market vendors charged Rs600-650 per kg. Chicken meat, officially fixed at Rs595 per kg, was sold for Rs700-795 per kg, while boneless chicken reached Rs1,150-1,200 per kg.

The disparity extended to vegetables and fruits. Potatoes (soft skin, A-grade) were officially priced at Rs45-50 per kg but were sold at Rs80-100 per kg. Onions (A-grade) were set at Rs40-45 per kg but were available for Rs80-100 per kg. Tomatoes (A-grade) were priced at Rs 55-60 per kg but sold at Rs200 per kg. Garlic (local) had an official rate of Rs225-235 per kg but was sold for Rs350 per kg. Ginger was priced at Rs410-425 per kg but was available for Rs600-800 per kg. Cucumbers, which had an official price of Rs28-30 per kg, were sold at Rs80-100 per kg. Lemon (Chinese) prices officially remained at Rs105-110 per kg but they were sold at Rs250-300 per kg. Green chilies, officially set at Rs95-100 per kg, were available for Rs180-200 per kg.

Fruit prices also saw dramatic increases. Bananas (A-category) had an official price of Rs250-260 per dozen but were sold at Rs350-400 per dozen. Guavas, set at Rs160-210 per kg, were sold at Rs200-300 per kg. Pomegranates (Kandahari), which had an official price of Rs380-520 per kg, were sold at Rs800-1,000 per kg. Dates, officially priced at Rs415-460 per kg, were sold between Rs750-2,000 per kg. Watermelon, which had a fixed price of Rs47-50 per kg, was being sold at Rs100 per kg.

Market analysts argue that without real-time monitoring and stronger regulatory action, inflation will continue to burden households.