No relief to consumers despite cut in POL prices

Rawalpindi : The petrol prices have turned back from Rs323.38 to Rs281 almost Rs42 per liter reduction but prices of all eatable and other essential items particularly vegetables gotten a new pace and selling in skyrocketing rates. In fact, prices of all items particularly vegetable prices are going higher and higher after reduction of POL prices but local administration, Rawalpindi seeing the whole drama with blind eyes and given a free hand of profiteers and hoarders to loot public both hands. Why the prices of eatable items were going up and up with every passing day, bosses were not considering this issue seriously and left poor segment of society in the lurch they were not able even to buy vegetables and pulses.

In which city, in which market and in which Muhalla inflation has come down by 1.7 percent in the month of October to November, people belonged to different walks of life told ‘The News’ here on Saturday.

The Caretaker Prime Minister has strictly directed the authorities concerned to accelerate the steps for trickling down the impact of reduced prices of the petroleum products to the common man but local administration, Rawalpindi has thrown out the orders of PM in a dustbin.

‘The News’ conducted a survey that potatoes have increased its prices by Rs40 per kilogram after reduction of POL prices. Potatoes were already selling in higher prices for over two to three months at Rs90 per kilogram. But, now 1-kilogram potatoes are selling at Rs130. Tomatoes have increased its prices by Rs150 per kilogram after reduction of POL prices. Tomatoes were selling at Rs40 to Rs50 per kilogram buy now one kilogram tomatoes are selling at Rs200 for over two weeks. Onion has increased its rates by Rs50 to Rs70 per kilogram in a month. One kilogram onions were selling at Rs40 to Rs50 but now one kilogram onions are selling at Rs100 to Rs120. The ginger and garlic are selling in skyrocketing prices that one kilogram garlic is selling at Rs400 and ginger at Rs600.

All kinds of vegetables are selling in skyrocketing prices. Purchasing fruits is a big dream for poor public.

One kilogram mutton is selling at Rs2000 and beef at Rs1100. One kilogram chicken meat is selling at Rs580 to Rs650. One liter milk is selling at Rs200 and yogurt at Rs200. All other items like rice, washing powder, shoe polish, pulses, cold drinks, salt, red chili even toffee, bun, bread, biscuits, sweets are selling in skyrocketing rates as per routine.

One kilogram LPG is selling at Rs300 in ‘black’ but bosses have still adopted silent. The bosses were continuously praising each other and doing only paper work to show their performance.

Muhammad Noman Mazhar a local said that they were hoping to reduce the prices of ‘Atta’ after fixation of ex-mill price but all of our hopes badly shattered when Punjab government fixed ex-mill price of a 10-kilogram ‘Atta’ bag at Rs1399. “We are already buying a 10-kilogram ‘Atta’ bag at Rs1350 to Rs1400 from open market shops,” he strongly protested.

Sania Saeed a housewife said that where the government writ in this country, God knows better. Nobody was taking any kind of action for public therefore profiteers and hoarders looting people both hands. Every shopkeeper has its own rates, she said. She has appealed powerful people to conduct general elections early only for the welfare of countrymen other­wise people will die due to present situation.

Muhammad Umar a local citizen said that all government officers were involved in making money otherwise nothing. The concept of ‘Price Magistrate’ has gone to the dogs completely therefore looters looting public freely, he bemoaned. When elected government will come and when public grievances will be addressed in this country, he questioned.