Officials fail to check overcharging in makeshift markets

LAHORE: Prices of majority of seasonal vegetables were further increased in second consecutive week in the provincial metropolis while issuance of wrong price list by the authorities also persisted which caused shortage of number of perishables from weekly makeshift markets.

This week again some vegetables, including ladyfinger, zucchini, spinach and other vegetables besides some fruits were missing from the weekly makeshift markets. The vendors did not sell those vegetables which rates were fixed lower in the price lists issued by the authorities concerned against their purchasing price from Badami Bagh wholesale vegetables and fruit markets.

On the other hand, open overcharging was also witnessed in makeshift markets as well as the market committee officials show their inability to check overcharging. They said when the wrong rates were issued by the authorities through price list then how they can stop vendors from overcharging. They said vendors did not overcharge on correct rates fixed perishable items while get benefit of wrong price list issue. They said they were compelled to ensure availability of all vegetables in the makeshift markets so they keep eyes closed from wrong price fixation items.

Potato new was increased by Rs7 per kg, fixed at Rs41 to 43 per kg, sugar-free by Re one per kg, fixed at Rs28 to 30 per kg, and stored at Rs20 to 22 per kg and stored sold at Rs41 per kg. Onion price was reduced by Re one per kg, fixed at Rs20 to 22 per kg, rainwater damaged was sold at Rs22 per kg. Tomato price was further gained by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs38 to 40 per kg.

Garlic harnai was reduced by Rs20 per kg, fixed at Rs97 to 100 per kg, garlic China at Rs121 to 125 per kg, and garlic local was stable at Rs107 to 110 per kg, while all variety was sold at Rs120 to 140 per kg. Ginger Chinese was reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs126 to 130 per kg, and ginger Singapore at Rs83 to 85 per kg, while it sold at Rs140 per kg. The price of brinjal was further gained by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs38 to 40 per kg.

Cucumber local was stable at Rs33 to 35 per kg, and cucumber farm was gained by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs28 to 30 per kg, and it sold at Rs35 per kg while local variety was not sold. Bitter gourd was also further increased by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs43 to 45 per kg, sold at Rs50 per kg. Spinach price gained by Rs7 per kg, fixed at Rs14 to 15 per kg, not sold there while outside sold at Rs40 per kg.

Lemon Indian was fixed at Rs58 to 60 per kg, and lemon local at Rs97 to 100 per kg, both were sold at Rs100 per kg. Zucchini local gained by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs48 to 50 per kg, not available in makeshift markets while outside handcart vendors sold it at Rs100 per kg. Ladyfinger price was further increased by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs58 to 60 per kg also missing on wrong pricing issue while outside sold at Rs100 per kg.

Pumpkin was gained by Rs8 per kg, fixed stable at Rs46 to 48 per kg, sold at Rs50 to 60 per kg. Luffa was increased by Rs20 per kg fixed at Rs38 to 40 per kg. Arum was further reduced by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs38 to 40 per kg. Green chilli was gained by Rs3 per kg, fixed at Rs48 to 50 per kg, sold at Rs60 to 80 per kg. Capsicum was unchanged at Rs33 to 35 per kg, sold at Rs50 per kg. Coriander was increased by Rs20 per kg, fixed at Rs140 per kg, sold at Rs400 per kg. Beans were fixed at Rs45 per kg, sold at Rs160 per kg.

Different variety of apples was sold at Rs83 to 239 per kg, while imported Chinese and New Zealand variety was sold at Rs240 to 300 per kg. Banana A-quality was fixed at Rs68 to 70 per dozen, and B-quality at Rs48 to 50 per dozen but not sold in makeshift markets while outside B-grade was sold at Rs60 per dozen. Apricot white was fixed at Rs83 to 115 per kg, sold at Rs120 per kg.

Different varieties of mangoes were sold at Rs38 to 110 per kg, while sold at Rs80 to 120 per kg. Plump A-grade was fixed at Rs117 to 120 per kg, and B-grade at Rs78 to 80 per kg, while mixed was sold at Rs120 per kg, and special at Rs180 per kg. Litchi was fixed at Rs250 per kg, not sold in makeshift markets. Peer local was fixed at Rs68 to 70 per kg. Hami melon (garma) was gained by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs50 per kg. Peach A-grade was fixed at Rs117 to 120 per kg, B-grade at Rs58 to 60 per kg.