Massive overcharging despite increase in supply

LAHORE

The prices of almost all seasonal vegetables came down with the increase in the supply, but the declining trend in the rates did not benefit the consumers due to massive overcharging.

The government has once again started preparation of special Ramazan bazaars in order to provide relief to the public only for one month as the meetings of the authorities concerned have already started on it. However, these authorities least bother to control the artificial price-hike round the year while only focus on it in one month as the government takes keen interest in the public issue only in Ramazan. This shows the ad hoc policies of the government related to public facilities and incentives. If the government ensures the steps taken in Ramazan round the year it could facilitate the public at large and earn repute as compared to temporary arrangements for only one month. 

This week vegetables, including mongray, carrot, arum, spinach, cauliflower, methi, green gram, radish, and turnip were not sold in the makeshift markets besides some fruits, including peer China, grapefruit, all citrus fruits, and banana were not sold in the weekly makeshift market on account of wrong price fixation. Furthermore, number of vegetables, including, green chilli, garlic, ginger, beans, cabbage, tomato and others were sold more than the official rates.

The rate of potato new was reduced by Re one per kg, fixed at Rs19 to 21 per kg, and onion by Rs3 per kg, fixed at Rs23 to 25 per kg. The price of tomato was reduced by Rs13 per kg, fixed at Rs27 to 29 per kg. Garlic harnai was fixed at Rs145 to 150 per kg with, garlic local new reduced by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs101 to 104 per kg while market committee issued Rs120 per kg price card for the new local garlic instead of the rates given on official price list while it sold at Rs140 per kg.

Ginger Chinese was declined by Rs4 per kg, fixed at Rs97 to 100 per kg, and Thai fixed at Rs74 to 76 per kg, while sold at Rs100 per kg. The price of brinjal was reduced by Rs5 per kg, stable at Rs24 to 25 per kg. Cucumber was down by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs24 to 25 per kg, sold at Rs25 to 75 per kg. Bitter gourd local was reduced by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs48 to 50 per kg, and farm at Rs28 to 30 per kg, while both were sold at Rs50 per kg. Spinach was stable at Rs11 to 12 per kg, sold at Rs30 per kg. Lemon Indian was fixed at Rs136 to 140 per kg and local was increased by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs174 to 180 per kg while both were sold at Rs200 per kg. 

Zucchini farm was declined by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs28 to 30 per kg, Zucchini long increased by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs24 to 25 per kg, and Zucchini local was fixed at Rs117 to 120 per kg. Ladyfinger price was sharply declined down by Rs55 per kg, fixed at Rs60 per kg. 

Pumpkin rate was also half with reduction of Rs30 per kg, fixed at Rs28 to 30 per kg. Sweet pumpkin was stable at Rs10 per kg, sold at Rs25 per kg.

Luffa was gained by Rs10per kg, fixed at Rs68 to 70 per kg. Arum was increased by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs48 to 50 per kg, sold at Rs100 per kg. Green chilli was reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs53 to 55 per kg, sold at Rs80 per kg. Capsicum was declined by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs28 to 30 per kg, sold at Rs40 per kg. Carrot local was fixed at Rs25 per kg not sold and carrot Chinese was fixed at Rs20 per kg. Radish was fixed at Rs6 per kg, but missing there.

Methi was increased by Rs2 per kg, fixed at Rs19 to 20 per kg, not available there. Turnip was stable at Rs14 to 15 per kg, sold at Rs30 per kg. Pea price was fixed at Rs60 per kg, not sold on account of wrong price fixation issue. Cabbage was reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs19 to 20 per kg, sold at Rs40 per kg, and cauliflower was fixed at Rs19 to 20 per kg, not sold there. Mongray fixed at Rs53 to 55 per kg, not sold there. Beans were sold at Rs160 per kg while no rates were issued for it.

The price of different variety of apples was fixed at Rs88 to 150 per kg, while the lowest quality was sold at Rs100 to 160 per kg, good quality was sold at Rs240 per kg. The price of banana was fixed at Rs48 to 80 per dozen, B-grade sold at Rs70 to 80 per dozen, A-grade was not sold there. Guava price was gained by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs58 to 60 per kg, not sold.

Papaya was fixed at Rs97 to 100 per kg, sold at Rs120 per kg. Grape fruit was fixed at Rs20 per piece, not sold in makeshift markets. Strawberry was fixed at Rs88 to 140 per kg, while mixed rotten was sold at Rs140 per kg. Peer Chinese was fixed at Rs126 to 130 per kg, not available there. Dates price was fixed at Rs126 to 140 per kg, sold at Rs150 to 320 per kg. Melon price was increased by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs38 to 70 per kg while mixed quality was sold at Rs70 per kg. Watermelon was fixed at Rs18 to 30 per kg while all quality was sold at Rs30 per kg. Lokat was fixed at Rs107 to 110 per kg, sold at Rs100 per kg.