Flour rates soar in rural areas

A 20 kg bag of flour is going for Rs610 in the outskirts of Islamabad, as opposed to the set price of Rs580.

ISLAMABAD: A 20 kilogram (kg) bag of flour is going for Rs610 in the outskirts of Islamabad, as opposed to the set price of Rs580. Islamabad Capital Administration (ICT) fixed the price of a 20kg flour bag at Rs580 after Ramazan ended but the local shopkeepers raised the price soon after.

A survey of the market conducted by The Express Tribune showed that the inflated prices were prevalent in different rural areas of ICT including Sowan, Tumir, Rawat, Phul Grah and Koral.

The price of a 20kg flour bag was Rs425 during Ramazan, due to a special package announced by the administration. They raised the prices to Rs580 after Eid. However residents complain that the shopkeepers are charging them an additional Rs20-30 per bag.

A resident of Koral, Younis Zaman, said, “There is no check and balance on the shopkeepers. They do as they will.”

President of the Bara Kahu market Naveed Ahmed denied that shopkeepers in the market were selling flour at inflated prices. “There is no such thing happening,” he said, adding, “We will take action against anyone [in Bara Kahu market] found selling flours at inflated prices.”

Assistant Director Food Muhammad Afzal Chaudhry reiterated his department’s stance to deal strictly with those violating the prices set by ICT. “We have set the price at Rs580 and will take strict action against violators.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 20^th, 2010.