Hike in prices of perishable items go unabated

LAHORE: The prices of vegetables and fruits have upward trend for the fifth consecutive week. Overcharging for commodities continues, keeping the consumers at bay even for daily use vegetables.

Not a single vegetable is being sold lower than Rs200 per kg, exposing the worst situation of prices for the perishable items in the province. Open violations of official rate lists go unchecked, making mockery of the government writ. The newly-created department for the control of prices has yet to show its performance.

This week the rate of live chicken was gained by Rs15 per kg, fixed at Rs389-403 per kg, while the seller charged Rs460-480 per kg for live chicken, chicken meat by Rs22 per kg, fixed at Rs584 per kilogram, while the sellers sold it at Rs620-650 per kg and chicken boneless at Rs1100-1200 per kg.

The price of potato soft skin A-grade was gained by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs80-85 per kg, sold at Rs140-150 per kg, B-grade at Rs65-70 per kg and C-grade at Rs55-60 per kg, mixed sold at Rs120-130 per kg. The price of potato sugar free A-grade fixed Rs55-60, B-grade 45-50 and C-grade at Rs35-40 per kg, mixed sold at Rs100-120 per kg.

The price of onion A-grade was unchanged at Rs45-50 per kg, sold at Rs80-100 per kg, B-grade at Rs35-40 per kg, and C-grade at Rs26-30 per kg, mixed sold at Rs60-70 per kg. The price of tomato A-grade increased by 5 per kg, fixed at Rs86-95 per kg, sold at Rs150-160 per kg, B-grade fixed at Rs75-80 per kg, and C-grade at Rs70-75 per kg, mixed sold at Rs120-130 per kg.

The price of garlic local new increased by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs200-210 per kg, sold at Rs280-300 per kg, Garlic Harani fixed at Rs240-250 per kg, sold at Rs400 per kg.