‘Reaping full blessings’ of  Ramazan!

Rawalpindi

Everywhere around world, the holy month of Ramazan is considered to be a blessing for all. Muslims around the world believe Ramazan is a period during which the doors of heaven are opened and blessings shower down in abundance, but many in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan feel the opposite. They feel it is time to ‘reap full benefits’ of this sacred month in another way, by increasing prices of food items. 

With the holy month of Ramazan starting on Tuesday, people felt as how some elements of society gain the benefits of this month completely in opposite manner. The genie of price spiral hit the public with a bang on the eve of the holy month, as people thronged markets particularly fruits and vegetables, but they were awe struck to find the prices of all commodities to be unprecedentedly high. 

Like other parts of the country, the phenomenon of hoarding and profiteering seemed to be in full swing. While the faithful prepare for the spiritual benefits of the month of fasting, many traders are hell bent upon making excessive profits, as nobody is there to check them. 

The public was already reeling under the price of chicken which was hovering around Rs300 per kilogram (meat) most of the time in past many months, what to say of the prices of beef and mutton, which are always above the price control lists issued by the local administrations around the country. Now the vegetables have also gone out of common man’s reach. 

Considering the fact that inflation has already decimated domestic budgets, especially of those on the lower rungs of the economic ladder, it is a good thing that the federal government has announced a 'package' worth Rs1.75 billion in subsidies for Ramazan through Utility Stores Corporation. The package covers many essential items for 'iftar' and 'sehri', which will be available at reduced prices at utility stores. It must be ensured that the subsidised items are in plentiful supply at utility stores and 'sasta bazaars', while the quality of the edibles must also be of an acceptable standard.

While it is a fact that high demand and bulk buying results in price hikes, it is also true that in many instances shortages are artificially created by those manipulating the market. Apart from providing subsidised goods during Ramazan, the state should enforce a price-control mechanism in the open market. And while some market watchers point out that traders have jacked up rates so much in the previous months that issuing price lists will have little effect, the government must still set price ceilings to control profiteering. This is the time to act. The government needs to maintain vigilance and ensure that traders in the open market abide by notified lists and don't fleece customers to rake in easy profit just at their own.

A body should be formed comprising government, traders and public representatives to check the prices in their respective areas. The body should be empowered to take action against the profiteers and hoarders as well as those selling substandard goods. The perpetrators should be dealt with iron hands to set an example for others. So that all segments of society could have equal opportunity to enjoy the benefits of this holy month with peace of mind so that they can pay full attention to performing their religious rituals.