Boycott of fruits delivers strong message to profiteers

Rawalpindi

Boycott of fruits has not only led to decrease in prices of some fruits but delivered a strong message to profiteers and hoarders of vegetables, meat sellers, chicken sellers, sweets sellers, burger sellers, chat sellers, ‘pakora’/’samosa’ sellers and all other sellers of food items.

No doubt, sellers of all commodities particularly butchers, vegetable sellers and chicken sellers are in the state of fear as public will stop eating food items if they demanded unnecessary profit in this regard.

Majority of profiteers and hoarders are still selling fruits on skyrocketing prices as they are thinking that this public campaign will be for the time being.

A survey conducted by ‘The News’ revealed that 1-kilogram apple is selling at Rs250, mango at Rs150 while banana selling at Rs160 to Rs240 per dozen. Similarly, 1-kilogram dates selling at Rs200 to Rs240 per kilogram, watermelon at Rs30, peach is selling at Rs120 to Rs150, Khobani is selling at Rs200 to Rs240 per kilogram. As per routine, 1-kilogram lemon is selling at Rs320.

It is worth mentioning here that public started this campaign to boycott fruits after becoming hopeless. The local managements of concerned cities including Rawalpindi have literally failed to stop ever-increasing inflation in bazaars.

Talking to ‘The News’ people belonging to different walks of life have strongly appreciated this campaign which has set an example to punish profiteers and hoarders looting public with both hands. It was an initiative and a positive sign to stop ever-increasing inflation in bazaars and shameful for concerned managements for failing to stop looters in the holy month of Ramazan, they denounced.

This is the first of its kind boycott, initiated through social media without the support of any political party.

Muhammad Akbar, a poor man said that instead of a reduction in prices, this Ramazan has seen a hike in the price of essential commodities particularly fruits as the government has literally failed to implement its fixed prices. He said that on the directions of Punjab government, city district government, Rawalpindi is only focusing on a handful of some of ‘Ramazan Sasta Bazaars’ where 10 per cent consumers are getting benefit while 90 per cent public is facing skyrocketing rates in open market shops, he added.

Nosheen Jamshed, a housewife said that this campaign should be launched against meat sellers as well. The butchers are selling 1-kilogram mutton at Rs750-Rs800 while beef at Rs450-Rs480. “Only and only public could do each and everything but unfortunately there was no oneness among us”, she denounced.

A message began circulating on Whatsapp with a title of ‘Important Information’ in bold at the top of the message. It stated that the citizens have boycotted the purchase of fruit and everyone should refrain from buying fruit so that rates come down. “As much as you can circulate this message please do so, so that the entire city could participate in this campaign,” read the message.

Later, a Facebook event was created to woo the people into joining the campaign. Facebook and Twitter newsfeeds were flooded with posts against government for being unable to keep the prices of fruits lower in the month of Ramadan.

Naveed Ahmed Shaikh, a senior citizen said that it is our right to buy all food items on low prices. “In the state of hopelessness, brave public started this campaign to stop buying fruits. But, rich people are not a part of this public welfare campaign as they are continuously buying fruits in bulk, he denounced.

Rana Iftikhar Hussain, said that there is a chance that if the middlemen do not buy fruit, it will rot. And in all likelihood the consumer will only continue the boycott for a few days. Prices cannot be brought under control. He said that unless the government introduces regulations for price control. Local governments throughout the world are tasked with bringing the prices of food items under control during such festivities.

The deputy commissioner (DC), Rawalpindi Talat Gondal in his statement assured public to provide maximum relief but in ‘Ramazan Sasta Bazaars.’ He said that price magistrates are continuously visiting open market shops to price control.