Massive overcharging on perishable items goes unabated

LAHORE:Increasing trend persisted on the second consecutive week in the prices of perishable items alongside uncontrolled massive overcharging as the rates of majority of seasonal vegetables, fruits and chicken increased as compared to the last week.

The district administration has failed to enforce the official rates in the provincial metropolis and given free hand to the sellers who sold the perishable at their own rates. Due to unchecked price control mechanism and lack of interest from the elected representatives, the administration has also not been taking pain of controlling the artificial inflation and left the public at the mercy of the sellers.

This week, the rate of live chicken increased by Rs18 per kg, fixed at Rs397-411 per kg, while the seller didn’t sale live chicken but the chicken meat was sold at Rs580-660 per kg and chicken boneless at Rs900-1,050 per kg.

The price of potato soft skin A-grade was gained by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs45-50 per kg, sold at Rs80-100 per kg, B-grade at Rs37-40 per kg and C-grade at Rs32-35 per kg, mixed sold at Rs50-70 per kg.

The price of onion A-grade reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs30-35 per kg, sold at Rs80 per kg, B-grade at Rs27-30 per kg, and C-grade at Rs22-25 per kg, mixed sold at Rs50-60 per kg. The price of tomato A-grade declined by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs30-35 per kg, sold at Rs80-120 per kg, B-grade fixed at Rs27-30 per kg, and C-grade at Rs22-25 per kg, mixed sold at Rs50-60 per kg.

The price of garlic local new gained by Rs15 per kg, fixed at Rs195-205 per kg, sold at Rs250-300 per kg, Garlic China fixed at Rs334-350 per kg, sold at Rs500 per kg. The price of both Ginger Thai and Chinese declined by Rs100 per kg, fixed at Rs525-550 per kg, both sold at Rs700-800 per kg.

Cucumber Farm unchanged at Rs47-50 per kg, sold at Rs60-80 per kg, cucumber local was fixed at Rs57-60 per kg, sold at Rs120-130 per kg. Brinjal price gained by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs66-70 per kg, sold at Rs100-140 per kg. Bitter gourd unchanged at Rs76-80 per kg, sold at Rs100-140 per kg.

The price of Spinach gained by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs28-30, sold at Rs60-80 per kg. Zucchini farm unchanged at 66-70 per kg, sold at Rs100-120 per kg, and Zucchini long at Rs38-40 per kg, sold at Rs80-100 per kg, Zucchini local further reduced by Rs20 per kg, fixed at Rs95-100 per kg, sold at Rs150-180 per kg. The lemon local was fixed at Rs535-560 per kg, sold at Rs800 per kg.

Pumpkin was unchanged at Rs47-50 per kg, sold at Rs80-140 per kg. Lady finger price reduced by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs133-140 per kg, sold at Rs180-200 per kg. The price of different variety of apples increased by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs220-365 per kg, sold at Rs250-800 per kg.

The price of Banana A-category further reduced by Rs10 per dozen, fixed at Rs180-210 per dozen, sold at Rs250-300 per dozen, and B-category fixed at Rs134-150 dozen, sold at Rs200 per dozen; C-grade was fixed at Rs90-100 per dozen, sold at Rs150-180 per dozen.

Melon price remained unchanged at Rs55-95 per kg, sold at Rs130-150 per kg. Watermelon price increased by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs38-40 per kg, sold at Rs50-80 per kg. Peach price reduced by Rs15 per kg, fixed at Rs115-170 per kg, sold at Rs150-300 per kg. Phalsa price increased by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs220-230 per kg, sold at Rs250-300 per kg.

Apricot yellow price reduced by Rs25 per kg, fixed at Rs158-165 per kg, sold at Rs250 per kg, Apricot white was fixed at Rs253-265 per kg, sold at Rs350-400 per kg.

Mangoes of the different varieties were fixed at Rs145-245 per kg, sold at Rs200-400 per kg. Chery box was fixed at Rs286-300, sold at Rs400-450 per box. Plump was fixed at Rs430-450 per kg, sold at Rs500-600 per kg.