DCO says shortage, low production of pulses caused hike
LAHORE
Instead of controlling the ongoing price hike of daily-use commodities especially pulses in the city markets, City District Government Lahore (CDGL) Tuesday notified an increase of up to 30 percent in the prices of various pulses.
Criticising the move of CDGL, citizens of different city localities urged Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif to look into the issue and take immediate steps to ensure early availability of pulses on cheap rates to the citizens.
According to the DCO Lahore’s notification, the prices of pulses have been increased up to 30 percent. New rates of the essential commodities are: Daal Chana small Rs 130 per kg against its previous price of Rs 100 kg, Daal Channa big Rs 134 per kg against it previous price of Rs 110 per kg, Daal Masoor thin Rs 160 per kg against the previous price of Rs 152 per kg, Daal Masoor imported and thick Rs 150 per kg against the previous price of Rs 132 per kg, imported and washed Daal Mash Rs 265 per kg against the previous price of Rs 235 per kg, imported Daal Mash whole Rs 235 per kg against the previous price of Rs 230 per kg, Daal Moong washed Rs 140 per kg against the previous price of Rs 142 per kg, Daal Moong whole Rs 150 per kg against the previous price of Rs 152 per kg, black gram thick Rs 130 per kg against the previous price of Rs 95 per kg, black gram thin Rs 120 per kg against the previous price of Rs 95 per kg, white gram thick and imported Rs 150 per kg against the previous price of Rs 98 per kg, white gram thin and imported Rs 166 per kg against the previous price of Rs 112 per kg, gram floor Rs 140 per kg against the previous price of Rs 110 per kg, red chiili Rs 248 per kg against the previous price of Rs 238 per kg and sugar Rs 65 per kg against its previous price of Rs 64 per kg.
According to the notification, the prices of different types of rice remained almost the same which are: new supper Basmati Rs 68 per kg, old super Basmati Rs 82 per kg and Erri rice Rs 32 per kg. The prices of Roti 100 gm Rs 06, Naan 120 gm Rs 10, Khamiri Roti Rs 08, milk Rs 70 per litre and yogurt Rs 85 per kg also remained the same.
The notification also mentioned the price of mutton as Rs 700 per kg and beef as Rs 325 per kg, but both commodities are not available at these rates in the city markets.
The notification says that no shopkeeper is allowed to sell mineral water, juices and fruit drinks other than those having the price printed on them. In case there is no price printed, the shopkeeper can only charge five percent profit on the price mentioned on company’s invoice. The notification is also applicable to all shops on Motorway Service Areas in the jurisdiction of Lahore.
On the other hand, big grocery stores, bakeries and super stores which have now become a status symbol in the city are openly violating the official rate list of CDGL. It is pertinent to mention here that the Lahore DCO who some months back had said during a press conference that CDGL was devising a strategy to bring conformity in rates of essential goods across the city, failed in announcing any such strategy. Sources in CDGL claimed that the price control magistrates of the CDGL always try to avoid raiding big stores, bakeries and super stores because of the influential personalities who own these stores. Majority of the super stores in the city are selling beef for Rs 520 per kg, mutton at the rate ranging from Rs 900 per kg to Rs 1100 per kg. Similarly price of chicken at mega and super stores is also higher than the normal rates in the open market. Management of majority of these stores claimed that their rates are higher than the open market because they are providing hygienic meat in a very customer-friendly environment.
Naved, manager of a super store in Johar Town near Khokhar Chowk, said that the rates notified by CDGL were too low, and they could not sell their products at these rates. He said the products present in big stores were sorted, packed and labeled and this was why their prices were higher than the prices in the open market.
When contacted on phone, the DCO said that the prices of pulses were increased due to their shortage in the market. He said the prices of pulses had gone up due to their low production.
To a question about the inaction of CDGL against big stores, the DCO refused to give any comments and simply said he would explain this to the reporter when both meet.
