Govt yet to control overcharging on edibles

LAHORE: Almost half of Ramazan has passed but the Punjab government is yet to control overcharging for edibles. The officers organise ‘surprise’ visits to model bazaars where A-quality items are sold at Agriculture Fair Price Stalls only during their visits.

Assistant commissioners are visiting these bazaars. Ministries and officers keep visiting these bazaars and their visits are limited to Lahore. The CM’s visit is also limited to Lahore. Overcharging is rife everywhere in the province. All items, including meat, grains, vegetables and fruits are sold at exorbitant prices. Meat is not sold at official rates anywhere in the City. Food minister visited Tollinton Market and imposed fines on shopkeepers for uncleanness and overcharging. But his visit remained futile because overcharging and insanitation continue there.

Food Minister Bilal Yasin visited China Scheme and Sabzazar model bazaars. Bilal Yasin said by increasing the supply of essential commodities, they were able to bring down the prices. He said the sale of cheap and quality items is being ensured.

This week price of chicken further increased by Rs19 per kg, fixed at Rs406-422 per kg, sold at Rs450-480 per kg, and chicken meat by Rs29 per kg, fixed Rs612 per kg, and sold Rs650-1100 per kg.

The price of potato soft skin increased by Re one 8 per kg, fixed at Rs48-53 per kg, sold at Rs80 per kg, B-grade fixed at Rs44-48 per kg, and C-grade at Rs38-42 per kilogram, mixed sold at Rs60-70 per kg.

The price of onion A-grade unchanged at Rs172-180 per kg, sold at Rs220-240 per kg, B-grade reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs155-160 per kg, sold at Rs200 per kg, and C-grade by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs135-140 per kg, sold at sold at Rs160-170 per kg.

The price of tomato A-grade gained by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs110-115 per kg, sold at Rs180-200 per kg, B-grade fixed at Rs100-105 per kg, and C-grade by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs90-95 per kg, mixed sold at Rs120-140 per kg.

The price of garlic local was gained by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs275-285 per kg, sold at Rs400 per kg, and Garlic China by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs575-595 per kg, sold at Rs800 per kg, Garlic Harnai reduced by Rs30 per kg, was fixed at Rs330-345 per kg, sold at Rs500 per kg.

The price of both Ginger Thai and China was unchanged at Rs500-515 per kg, sold at Rs600 per kg. Cucumber Farm reduced by Rs27 per kg, fixed at Rs40-47 per kg, sold at Rs60-80 per kg. Brinjal price was reduced by Rs50 per kg, fixed Rs67-70 per kg, sold at Rs100-120 per kg. Bitter gourd price gained by Rs20 per kg, fixed at Rs280-290 per kg, sold at Rs400 per kg.

The price Spinach farm reduced by Rs3 per kg, fixed at Rs28-30 sold at Rs50-60 per kg, spinach local by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs38-40 per kg, sold at Rs100 per kg. Zucchini farm further declined by Rs50 per kg, fixed at Rs38-40 per kg, sold at Rs60-80 per kg, and Zucchini long by Rs20 per kg, fixed at Rs38-40 per kg, sold at Rs80-100 per kg.

The price of lemon China gained by Rs25 per kg, fixed at Rs100-105 per kg, sold at Rs200-250 per kg, lemon local was by Rs25 per kg, fixed at Rs220-230 per kg, sold at Rs500 per kg. The price of different variety of apples was fixed at Rs58-325 per kg, sold at Rs150-500 per kg. The price of Banana A-category unchanged at Rs185-190 per dozen, sold at Rs240-280 per dozen, and B-category at Rs135-140 per dozen, sold at Rs180-200 per dozen, and C-category fixed at Rs80-85 per dozen, sold at Rs130-150 per dozen. Dates Irani reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs480-500 per kg, sold at Rs800 to 1400 per kg.

Papaya unchanged at Rs210-220 per kg, sold at Rs200-250 per kg. Pomegranate danaydar unchanged at Rs420-440 per kg, sold at Rs600 per kg, Pomegranate khandahri fixed at Rs325-340 per kg, sold at Rs600-700 per kg, Pomegranate bedana fixed at Rs700-720 per kg, sold at Rs1,200-1,400 per kg.