No let-up in overcharging in makeshift markets

LAHORE
The prices of essential vegetables remained high despite one week has past after Eid while the shortage and non-availability of majority of them was recorded in weekly makeshift markets which were operational after two weeks.
Vegetables which were not available in the makeshift markets were sold at double rates just outside of these bazaars while the management of these bazaars has given free hand to them to overcharge the consumers.
Even the vendors were openly overcharging in makeshift markets as management and staff were not on their duties in the majority of bazaars, while, only low cadre staff was seen in some bazaars. In the absence of the staff and management, the vendors were free at their will to charge price of their choice.
The price of potato new was fixed at Rs28 to 32 per kg, potato sugar-free at Rs18 to 20 per kg, and stored at Rs10 to 12 per kg, while stored and sugar-free was sold at Rs32 per kg. The rates of onion which registered upwards trend well before Eidul Azha remained at higher side. This week official rate of onion was fixed at Rs45 to 51 per kg, while mixed and rotten was sold at Rs51 per kg and just outside the makeshift markets A-quality onion was sold art Rs60 to 80 per kg. Tomato price also jacked up, reached Rs50 to 55 per kg, sold at Rs60 per kg. Garlic local was fixed at Rs125 to 135 per kg, garlic China at Rs150 to 160 per kg, while both were sold at Rs160 to 180 per kg. Ginger China was fixed at Rs155 to 165 per kg, ginger Singapore at Rs115 to 120 per kg, and Ginger India at Rs70 to 75 per kg, while it was sold at Rs160 to 180 per kg.
Brinjal was fixed at Rs8 to 10 per kg, but not sold there while in market sold at Rs30 per kg. Cucumber price was fixed at Rs40 to 45 per kg, while farm cucumber was sold at Rs45 per kg. Bitter gourd was fixed at Rs38 to 40 per kg, sold at Rs60 per kg. Spinach was fixed at Rs24 to 28 per kg, sold at Rs25 per kg. Zucchini round local was fixed at Rs45 to 50 per kg, sold at Rs60 per kg. Lemon local was fixed at Rs130 to 140 per kg, lemon Chinese at Rs60 to 70 per kg, while sold at Rs70 to 80 per kg. Cauliflower was fixed at Rs40 to 45 per kg, but not sold there while outside sold at Rs80 per kg, cabbage was sold at Rs25 to 30 per kg. The price of lufa was fixed at Rs30 to 35 per kg, missing there while outside sold at Rs70 per kg. Pumpkin round was fixed at Rs40 to 45 per kg, while pumpkin long was sold at Rs60 per kg. The price of Green Chilli local was fixed at Rs70 to 80 per kg, and farm at Rs50 to 55 per kg, while both were sold at Rs80 to 100 per kg. Capsicum price was fixed at Rs95 to 105 per kg, sold at Rs120 per kg. Arum price was fixed at Rs50 to 55 per kg, ladyfinger at Rs26 to 30 per kg, but both were not sold there while outside it was sold at Rs80, and 60, respectively.
The price of pea was fixed at Rs135 to 140 per kg, sold at Rs160 per kg. Turnip price was fixed at Rs40 per kg, carrot at Rs45 per kg, sold at Rs50 per kg, radish at Rs8 to 10 per kg, sold at Rs40 per kg, methi at Rs50 per kg, sold at Rs80 per kg. The price of different variety of apples was fixed at Rs30 to 110 per kg, while sold in the range of Rs60 to 100 per kg. The price of Banana A quality was fixed at Rs50 to 55 per dozen, B-quality at Rs35 to 40 per dozen, while it sold at Rs55 per dozen. Pomegranate Bedana was fixed at Rs165 to 175 per kg, but not sold there.