Prices of food items increase before Ramazan

Rawalpindi: On March 6 during a meeting, Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Engineer Aamir Khattak had given three days deadline to improve performance to the price magistrates. But, poor public faced the result of this warning that prices of all eatable items have gone to up by over 30 to 50 per cent in three days that onion which was available at Rs220 now selling at Rs330 and some of shopkeepers selling it at Rs400 while green chili which was available at Rs300 per kilogram now selling at Rs500 here in open market shops on Monday.

‘The News’ published stories and insisted on ‘good governance’ if Punjab government wanted to get positive results. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in her speech assured of forming a separate ‘Price Control Department’ to control inflation in open market, but people still waiting for its implementation.

A survey conducted by ‘The News’ that all eatable item including fruits are selling in skyrocketing prices for four days. The local administration has given a free hand to looters. During a survey it was observed that profiteers and hoarders were selling 1-kilogram potato at Rs80 against Rs40 some five days back, tomatoes are being sold at Rs180 against Rs100, ginger at Rs720 against Rs450, garlic at Rs720 against Rs600 per kilogram.

Similarly, prices of all vegetables have gone in four days, green chilies are being sold at Rs500 per kilogram. A small pack of coriander was selling at Rs100. A spinach is being sold at Rs80, four days back its price was Rs30.

The prices of all fruits have gone to sky and one dozen banana was selling at Rs300 against Rs150 some four days back and 1-kilogram apple (low quality) was being sold at Rs250 against Rs150. One kilogram melon was selling at Rs280 against Rs100 to Rs150. One kilogram strawberry was at Rs600 against Rs400.

The butchers also issued a new price list and selling 1-kilogram mutton at Rs2,200 and beef at Rs1,200 to Rs1,300. The chicken sellers were also selling chicken meat in exorbitant prices at Rs700 to Rs800.

The milk sellers also issued a new price list and selling one litre milk at Rs200 to Rs220 and yogurt at Rs200 to Rs240. The retailers complained that they received fruits and vegetables at higher rates whereas wholesalers made an excuse of shortage of supplies. Meeting kitchen expenses, especially for the mediocre and low-income groups during the holy month, became a challenge due to skyrocketing inflation. High-quality basmati rice is being sold at Rs400 per kilo.