Weekly bazaars: Steps being taken to ensure availability of fruits, vegetables

<br /> Inspectors of weekly bazaars directed to strictly monitor prices and quality of items.

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is taking all out measures to ensure availability of fresh fruits, vegetables and other edible items on concessional rates for residents of the federal capital in its weekly bazaars.

CDA Chairman Maroof Afzal expressed these views while chairing a meeting at CDA Headquarters on Sunday where Member Administration and Estate Amir Ali Ahmed and director municipal administration and bazaar, among other officials, were present.

Ahmed apprised the chairman that the authority was executing a successful and result-oriented drive to secure fresh and hygienic fruits and vegetables for the weekly bazaars at cheaper rates and ensuring that daily use eatable items are available at all bazaars. He said the Tuesday, Friday and Sunday bazaars at Sector H-9, Tuesday bazaar at Sector I-9, Sunday bazaar at Sector G-6 and Bhara Kahu weekly bazaar are being supplied the food items at concessional rates.

He informed the chairman that during the third week of Ramazan, fruits and vegetables are being sold in Islamabad’s weekly bazaars at 30 to 50 per cent less rates than the markets of Islamabad. Ahmed said he has strictly instructed the bazaar administration to examine prices of all commodities in the Fruit and Vegetable Market to make sure prices of edible items in weekly bazaars does not exceed approved prices.

Ahmed said concerned inspectors of weekly bazaars have been directed to strictly monitor prices. He said the bazaar administration has also been directed to issue notices to stallholders selling substandard and expired fruits, vegetables and other items and if they do not comply with the orders, then the administration can fine them.

He directed the concerned formations for strict security and vigilance as a high number of people will be visiting the weekly bazaars in the last week of Ramazan.

Moreover, the chairman was informed of prices of daily use items at CDA’s weekly bazaars. The price of potato was stated to be Rs72/kg, onion Rs40/kg, tomato Rs38/kg, ginger Rs228/kg, garlic Rs92/kg, lemon Rs112/kg, green chilies Rs52/kg, ladyfinger Rs24/kg, brinjal Rs30/kg, pumpkin Rs26/kg and bitter gourd Rs20/kg. Meanwhile, banana was said to be selling at Rs100/dozen, apple at Rs120/dozen, mango at Rs90/kg, honey melon Rs36/kg, watermelon Rs26/kg, peach Rs100/kg.

As compared to prices of items at CDA bazaars, the prices of vegetables and fruits in the market are as follows: potato at Rs86/kg, onion Rs52kg, tomato Rs70/kg, ginger Rs300/kg, garlic Rs150/kg, ladyfinger Rs60/kg and pumpkin Rs80/kg. Whereas fruit prices in the market are as follows: banana Rs250/dozen, apple Rs150/kg, mango Rs150/kg and Rs160/kg, honey melon Rs100/kg, watermelon Rs40/kg and peach Rs230/ kg.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 21^st, 2014.