Overcharging, violation of official rates continue

LAHORE: Consumers are at the mercy of shopkeepers in the absence of any check and balance from the relevant authorities to stop overcharging for daily use items and implement official rate lists.

The new Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) has also failed to create impact and ‘old methods’ of implementation of rules and regulations have started which do not provide required relief to the masses and burden them as the cost of the authority is being added to the consumer price by the sellers.

Difference between official lists and retail prices erodes trust in governance and worsens the impact of inflation on low-income families. This week the price of live chicken was further reduced by Rs15 per kg, fixed at Rs314-328 per kg, but not sold by the sellers in the city, and chicken meat by Rs22 per kg, was fixed at Rs475 per kg, sold at Rs510 to Rs625 per kg, and chicken boneless was sold at Rs800-900 per kg.

The price of potato soft skin A-grade further reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs70-75 per kg, sold at Rs120 per kg, B-grade at Rs65-70 per kg and C-grade at Rs55-60 per kg, mixed sold at Rs80-100 per kg.

The price of potato sugar free A-grade fixed at Rs60-65, 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 further gained by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs75-80 per kg, sold at Rs120 per kg, B-grade at Rs65-70 per kg, and C-grade at Rs55-60 per kg, mixed sold at Rs80-100 per kg. The price of tomato A-grade fixed at Rsfixed at Rs136-150 per kg, sold at Rs250-300 per kg, B-grade fixed at Rs127-140 per kg, and C-grade at Rs110-120 per kg, mixed sold at Rs200 per kg.