Ramazan special: In the month of charity, greed reigns supreme
Residents claim administration fails to regulate rates at Fruit and Vegetable Market.
ISLAMABAD:
On the face of it, rate lists are meant for regulating prices of fruits, vegetables and other food items, but daily fluctuations in Ramazan make it difficult for customers to compare prices which defeat the whole purpose of the exercise.
Constant variations allow vendors to fudge prices and make money of unsuspecting customers. Ali Usman, a vendor at the Sector G-6 fair price bazaar, said the price list was confusing and a majority of customers did not bother to check it as it varies every day.
Since the first day of Ramazan, prices of fruits and vegetables have been fluctuating in the market, defying rates announced by the government. Many greengrocers deny receiving the daily rate list from the administration or the fact that they are bound to follow it.
Comparing official rate lists of the past few days, a trend of a surge in prices emerges. For instance, on July 10, potatoes were to be sold for Rs68 per kilogramme (kg), chicken for Rs162 per kg and white apples for Rs110 per kg, according to the list. The next day, however, prices rose and potatoes were listed at Rs75 per kg, chicken for Rs152 per kg and white apples for Rs130 per kg.
A visit to the fair price bazaars, weekly bazaars and markets gives the impression that there is no reliable mechanism to regulate prices in the capital. At Ramazan fair price bazaars, there is a negligible difference in prices but vendors seem to believe that lower prices justify poor quality of fruits and vegetables.
Dastagir Khan and Yaqoob Khan, grocers in G-11 Markaz and Karachi Company, said prices of fruits and vegetables depend on wholesale rates. According to them, during Ramazan, prices rise and they are forced to buy fruits and vegetables at higher rates and sell at rates fixed by the government, so they are unable to earn any profit. They were of the view that the administration did not take action against vendors in the Fruit and Vegetable Market who sold items at rates of their own choice.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Traders Action Committee President Kashif Chaudhry said every Ramazan, prices of essential food items rise because of the absence of a regulatory mechanism or plan. “The government should formulate a policy to keep a balance between the supply and demand of food items. People can get food items at lower prices in fair price bazaars but the quality is sub-standard,” he said.
Replying to a question, he said, “Food inspectors only raid small shops and not warehouses and mills where food items worth millions of rupees are stocked.”
Food department Director Chaudhry Afzal said the district administration issued price lists of fruit and vegetables before and during Ramazan. “We raid shops and fine owners for violating the price list every Ramazan. This year, around 20 shopkeepers were arrested.”
Right after Ramazan began, the prices of fruits and vegetable soared abruptly but within a week the district administration raided shops and bazaars for violating the rates fixed by the government. Consumers would, however, benefit from a stricter enforcement of prices on a regular basis.
Prices of snacks somewhat stable
Mohammad Nadeem, a shopkeeper who sells fried items in G-11 Markaz, said compared to last year they had not earned any profit this month. “Prices of oil, potatoes and gram flour rise in Ramazan. We’re unable to lower prices even though we try our best to follow the rate list issued by the district administration.”
According to the price list, a dozen samosas should sell for Rs156, a kg of pakoras for Rs190 and a kg of jalebi for Rs200.
Taj Naz, a waiter at Munchies restaurant in F-6 Super Market, said the increase in food prices has destroyed their business. While the eatery claims it has not changed prices of food items for about two years, it is worried about the overall price hike which is making it difficult for them to make ends meet. The eatery sells pakoras for Rs190 per kg, samosas for Rs180 per dozen, jalebi for Rs190 per kg, fruit chaat for Rs100 and gol gappas for Rs70.
Naveed Ahmed, at Siddique Sweets in Rana Market, Sector F-7/2, said they had not changed their prices but have switched to LPG cylinders, which is an expensive alternative. “Customer turnover has been low this season, but that could have a lot to do with the hot weather.” The shop sells samosas for Rs180 per kg, pakoras and jalebi for Rs240 per kg and dahi bhallay for Rs160 a plate.
Sami, a manager at Crunchies restaurant in F-7’s Jinnah Super Market, said, “We’re incurring a loss by not increasing our rates in accordance with the price hike.” The shop sells dahi bhallay, channa chaat, fruit chaat and goll gappas for Rs70.
Comparison of prices (per kg)
Published in The Express Tribune, July 14th, 2014.
On the face of it, rate lists are meant for regulating prices of fruits, vegetables and other food items, but daily fluctuations in Ramazan make it difficult for customers to compare prices which defeat the whole purpose of the exercise.
Constant variations allow vendors to fudge prices and make money of unsuspecting customers. Ali Usman, a vendor at the Sector G-6 fair price bazaar, said the price list was confusing and a majority of customers did not bother to check it as it varies every day.
Since the first day of Ramazan, prices of fruits and vegetables have been fluctuating in the market, defying rates announced by the government. Many greengrocers deny receiving the daily rate list from the administration or the fact that they are bound to follow it.
Comparing official rate lists of the past few days, a trend of a surge in prices emerges. For instance, on July 10, potatoes were to be sold for Rs68 per kilogramme (kg), chicken for Rs162 per kg and white apples for Rs110 per kg, according to the list. The next day, however, prices rose and potatoes were listed at Rs75 per kg, chicken for Rs152 per kg and white apples for Rs130 per kg.
A visit to the fair price bazaars, weekly bazaars and markets gives the impression that there is no reliable mechanism to regulate prices in the capital. At Ramazan fair price bazaars, there is a negligible difference in prices but vendors seem to believe that lower prices justify poor quality of fruits and vegetables.
Dastagir Khan and Yaqoob Khan, grocers in G-11 Markaz and Karachi Company, said prices of fruits and vegetables depend on wholesale rates. According to them, during Ramazan, prices rise and they are forced to buy fruits and vegetables at higher rates and sell at rates fixed by the government, so they are unable to earn any profit. They were of the view that the administration did not take action against vendors in the Fruit and Vegetable Market who sold items at rates of their own choice.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Traders Action Committee President Kashif Chaudhry said every Ramazan, prices of essential food items rise because of the absence of a regulatory mechanism or plan. “The government should formulate a policy to keep a balance between the supply and demand of food items. People can get food items at lower prices in fair price bazaars but the quality is sub-standard,” he said.
Replying to a question, he said, “Food inspectors only raid small shops and not warehouses and mills where food items worth millions of rupees are stocked.”
Food department Director Chaudhry Afzal said the district administration issued price lists of fruit and vegetables before and during Ramazan. “We raid shops and fine owners for violating the price list every Ramazan. This year, around 20 shopkeepers were arrested.”
Right after Ramazan began, the prices of fruits and vegetable soared abruptly but within a week the district administration raided shops and bazaars for violating the rates fixed by the government. Consumers would, however, benefit from a stricter enforcement of prices on a regular basis.
Prices of snacks somewhat stable
Mohammad Nadeem, a shopkeeper who sells fried items in G-11 Markaz, said compared to last year they had not earned any profit this month. “Prices of oil, potatoes and gram flour rise in Ramazan. We’re unable to lower prices even though we try our best to follow the rate list issued by the district administration.”
According to the price list, a dozen samosas should sell for Rs156, a kg of pakoras for Rs190 and a kg of jalebi for Rs200.
Taj Naz, a waiter at Munchies restaurant in F-6 Super Market, said the increase in food prices has destroyed their business. While the eatery claims it has not changed prices of food items for about two years, it is worried about the overall price hike which is making it difficult for them to make ends meet. The eatery sells pakoras for Rs190 per kg, samosas for Rs180 per dozen, jalebi for Rs190 per kg, fruit chaat for Rs100 and gol gappas for Rs70.
Naveed Ahmed, at Siddique Sweets in Rana Market, Sector F-7/2, said they had not changed their prices but have switched to LPG cylinders, which is an expensive alternative. “Customer turnover has been low this season, but that could have a lot to do with the hot weather.” The shop sells samosas for Rs180 per kg, pakoras and jalebi for Rs240 per kg and dahi bhallay for Rs160 a plate.
Sami, a manager at Crunchies restaurant in F-7’s Jinnah Super Market, said, “We’re incurring a loss by not increasing our rates in accordance with the price hike.” The shop sells dahi bhallay, channa chaat, fruit chaat and goll gappas for Rs70.
Comparison of prices (per kg)
| Items | Fair price shops | General market |
| Potato | 70 | 68 |
| Onion | 35 | 38 |
| Tomato | 30 | 32 |
| Lemon | 92 | 105 |
| Ladyfinger | 36 | 32 |
| Eggs (dozen) | 80 | 85 |
| Eggplant | 30 | 38 |
| Dates special | 200 | 200 |
| Iranian dates | 210 | 170 |
| Mango (langra) | 60 | 55 |
| Banana (local) | 100 | 90 |
| Banana (Indian) | 160 | 190 |
Published in The Express Tribune, July 14th, 2014.