Overcharging, wrong prices continue in makeshift markets

LAHORE

Surging trend in the prices of seasonal vegetables besides unabated overcharging continued along with wrong fixation of prices in the provincial metropolis.

The district administration had done hectic exercise to control the artificial price-hike during Ramazan but now it seems to be in hibernation until next year. Open overcharging has been continued across the city while there is no check what quality of perishables is being sold at exorbitant rates.

Fixation of price of stored variety of potato at new variety rate is an open example of this. The maximum price of stored variety potato is Rs22 per kg in official rate list and new variety is Rs45 per kg, while stored potato is being sold at Rs45 per kg. This exposes the seriousness of the district government towards a sensitive issue of prices and inflation in the provincial headquarters.

Overcharging is another menace of perishable product market in the city. The government official has never taken interest to resolve the issue. Their non-serious attitude towards it encourages the vendors to fleece the public at their own will.

Potato new price was further increased by Rs2 per kg, reached Rs43 to 45 per kg, sugar-free fixed at Rs27 to 29 per kg, and stored at Rs20 to 22 per kg and stored sold at Rs45 per kg as the market committee officials issued Rs45 per kg rate for stored variety of potato.

Onion price was stable at Rs20 to 22 per kg, rainwater damaged was sold at Rs22 per kg. Tomato price was further gained by Rs3 per kg, fixed at Rs41 to 43 per kg, sold at Rs45 to 50 per kg. Garlic harnai was reduced by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs88 to 90 per kg, garlic China at Rs107 to 110 per kg, and garlic local was stable at Rs97 to 100 per kg, while all variety was sold at Rs120 per kg.

Ginger Chinese was reduced by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs117 to 120 per kg, and ginger Singapore by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs73 to 75 per kg, while it sold at Rs120 per kg, Chinese was not available.

The price of brinjal was gained by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs43 to 45 per kg, sold at Rs50 per kg. Cucumber local was reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs28 to 30 per kg, and cucumber farm was gained by Rs15 per kg, fixed at Rs43 to 45 per kg, both were missing in the makeshift markets while outside sold at Rs50 to 60 per kg. Bitter gourd was also reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs38 to 40 per kg, sold at Rs50 per kg.

Spinach was stable at Rs14 to 15 per kg, sold at Rs20 per kg. Lemon was reduced by Rs20 per kg, fixed at Rs78 to 80 per kg, sold at Rs100 per kg. Zucchini local was gained by Rs20 per kg, fixed at Rs68 to 70 per kg, sold at Rs80 per kg. Ladyfinger price remained unchanged at Rs58 to 60 per kg. Pumpkin was reduced by Rs3 per kg, fixed at Rs43 to 45 per kg, sold at Rs50 per kg. Luffa was stable at Rs38 to 40 per kg. Sweet pumpkin was fixed at Rs5 per kg, sold at Rs25 per kg.

Arum was further reduced by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs28 to 30 per kg. Green chilli was reduced by Rs20 per kg, fixed at Rs28 to 30 per kg, sold at Rs60 per kg. Capsicum was gained by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs38 to 40 per kg, sold at Rs50 per kg. Coriander was reduced by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs130 per kg, sold at Rs400 per kg. Beans were gained by Rs10 per kg fixed at Rs55 per kg, sold at Rs160 per kg.

Different variety of apples was sold at Rs38 to 239 per kg, while local was sold at Rs80 to 120 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 to 70 per dozen. Apricot white was gained by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs117 to 120 per kg. Different varieties of mangoes were fixed at Rs38 to 120 per kg, while sold at Rs100 to 150 per kg. Plump was fixed at Rs110 per kg, and B-grade was sold at Rs110 per kg. Peer local was fixed at Rs68 to 70 per kg. Hami melon (Garma) was fixed at Rs45 per kg.

Peach A-grade was fixed at Rs117 to 120 per kg, B-grade at Rs63 to 65 per kg. Grapes Sundarkhani was fixed at Rs155 to 160 per kg, grapes Bedana at Rs117 to 120 per kg, and grapes Rs117 to 120 per kg. Guava was fixed at Rs50 per kg, sold at Rs80 per kg.