Rates Of Daily Use Items Go Sky High; Citizens Urge Authorities To Take Strict Action Against Profiteers

RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th May, 2018 ) :The rates of daily use items are noticing upward trend in Ramadan and profiteers are active to gain maximum profits during the holy month while the citizens have urged the authorities concerned to take strict action against profiteers and hoarders.

The prices of essential commodities had already gone up to sky high before the start of Ramadan and the price hike ghost had come out in the shape of profiteers and the hoarders. Vegetables and fruits, all the basic commodities had witnessed 25 percent to 50 percent increase in their prices, burdening more the already troubled common man.

Traditionally fruits and vegetable prices at the advent of the Holy month of Ramadan went spiraling high by 50 to 100 percent. More than 25 daily commodities like sugar, rice, pulses, chicken, beef, mutton, vegetables and fruit prices have shot up in local markets.

According to the citizens, the shopkeepers had increased the prices of daily-use items on their own before the start of Ramadan as the authorities concerned had failed to check profiteering. Like past, this year also the price control system of city district government appears to have failed in controlling the prices even in Ramadan.

The price lists issued by the local administration on Friday seems a showpiece in the shops as the shopkeepers are not following the prescribed rate lists on the one pretext or the other. Nowadays, wholesalers and retailers, particularly of fruits and vegetables, are enjoying a free hand to fleece the consumers in the holy month despite of all the claims of the authorities concerned.

The price of sugar has also been raised by 2 to 3 rupees per kg in the open market as sugar is available at Rs 55 to 60 per kg. Dates are available from Rs 200 Rs to Rs 350 per kg, while chicken is being sold at around Rs 290-300 per kg.

Basen is regularly used in Ramadan for making Pakoras for Iftar and its price nowadays is around Rs 140 to 170 a kilo. Yogurt is being sold at Rs 110 to 120 while a liter of milk costs Rs 100 to Rs 110.

Tomato is being sold at Rs 30 per kg. Potato Rs 20 to 30. Onion Rs 30 to 40. Lemon Rs 300 to 350 per kg. Wheat flour Rs 800 to 830, 20 kg bag while 'Chaki' wheat flour is available at Rs 60 per kg.

Despite of being honest and helpful at least in the holy month the retailers exploit the needs of public in Ramadan. Even the lower middle class person tries to eat nutritious fruits daily but how can they afford such prices.

Nowadays, the citizens are bearing the huge storm of inflation. Even on the Sunday bazaars the prices of vegetables and fruits continued their upward spiral in Ramazan. A similar increase has been seen in the prices of kitchen items which are increasing for the last three weeks and the trend continued.

The consumers complained that Sasta Bazaars could only be useful if prices were checked by the administration and stern action is taken against the profiteers. "A price increase before the holy month and in Ramadan has become a hallmark in our society," said a customer Tahir.

He said prices were increasing since the last three weeks with no one to control them. He said, "hoarders were active and the city and provincial administration appear helpless before them again." According to city government, all the shopkeepers have been directed to display price lists at prominent places otherwise stern action in accordance with the law will be taken against the violators.

According to the new rate lists issued by district administration on Friday, the Wheat flour will be sold at Rs 500 per 20 kg bag, rice at Rs 110-130 per kg, daal channa at Rs110, daal masoor at Rs110 per kg, daal mash at Rs 140 per kg, daal mong at Rs100 per kg, basin at Rs125 per kg, sugar at Rs45 per kg and red chillies at Rs270 per kg.

The price of mutton has been fixed at Rs 700 per kg, beef at Rs 350 per kg, milk at Rs 70 and yogurt at Rs 80 per kg while roti Rs 7 each and naan Rs 8 each. The butchers have refused to accept the new prices of mutton and beef.

They claimed that the prices were fixed without consulting them. However, the price of mutton in the open market is Rs 950 to 1050 per kg and beef is Rs 550 per kg. Profiteers have also raised the prices of fruits owing to its rising demand in Ramadan.

All the fruits available in market have witnessed an increase. Apples are being sold between 200 to 250 kg, Mangoes Rs 150 to 200 kg, bananas Rs 180 to 300 dozen, watermelon Rs 25 per kg, melons Rs 60 per kg and peaches Rs 180 per kg.

Fruit vendors and wholesalers increase prices every year and fleece the customers without any fear of being penalized or caught by the authorities concerned. The citizens also criticised the district administration for not controlling prices in the open market saying that the price list issued by the administration is not in effect in any of the shops.