Political instability hits funds for Ramazan Bazaars

LAHORE:Political instability has created uncertainty for the establishment of special Ramazan Bazaars in the province as the funds for it were so far not approved.

The officials said that a summary was tabled to the Chief Minister Secretariat for the allocation and release of the funds for the makeshift markets during Ramazan. However, so far no further development on the request was made. They said that once the funds would be approved and released then work on it would be started.They said that number of weekly makeshift markets and model bazaars were already established in the city and province. These bazaars will be operational in case of any problems occur. However, they hoped that the funds would be approved and released for the timely preparation of the makeshift markets in the province in the next week.

The agriculture department has also started work on the expected shortage of some fruits and vegetables this Ramazan to make arrangements. They said ensuring the supply of banana, apples and lemon could be issued as local production of these items will not start in May while other seasonal vegetables and fruits would be in ample in supply. For these three items, local demand would be dependent on import, they observed.

The issues of the weekly makeshift markets of the city remained unresolved this week too. The shortage and overcharging on number of items were observed besides under weighing by the vendors. The administration of these bazaars said the vendors had become a mafia in the makeshift markets and without exemplary punishment nexus could not be broken. They admitted that some administrative staff, including market committee and town officials, were involved in it which cause overcharging and non-availability of number of items. Radish pods (mongray), turnip, radish, turnip, cauliflower, cabbage Fenugreek (methi), capsicum, zucchini, cauliflower, luffa, besides majority of seasonal fruits were not sold in the makeshift on account of wrong pricing issue. Similarly, overcharging was observed on bitter gourd, green chilli, garlic, ginger, pumpkin, sweet pumpkin and ladyfinger. This week price of potato was stable at Rs11 to 12 per kg for makeshift markets and Rs12 to 13 per kg for open markets. In open markets, it was sold at Rs20 per kg. The price of onion increased by Re one per kg, fixed at Rs23 to 25 per kg. The price of tomato was reduced by Rs7 per kg, fixed at Rs28 to 30 per kg. Garlic China was stable at Rs107 to 110 per kg, and garlic local at Rs68 to 70 per kg, while outside it was sold at Rs50 to 60 per kg and makeshift markets at Rs100 per kg. Ginger Chinese was increased by Rs4 per kg, fixed at Rs145 to 150 per kg, and Thai by Rs15 per kg, was fixed at Rs112 to 115 per kg, and it was sold at Rs160 per kg. The price of brinjal was reduced by Rs2 per kg, fixed at Rs26 to 28 per kg, sold at Rs30 per kg.

Cucumber local was stable at Rs17 to 18 per kg, while market committee issued Rs25 per kg rate for it in makeshift markets by ignoring official price list. Bitter gourd was reduced by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs38 to 40 per kg. Spinach was increased by Rs2 per kg, fixed at Rs11 to 12 per kg, sold at Rs20 per kg. Lemon Chinese was increased by Rs40 per kg, fixed at Rs140 to 150 per kg, sold at Rs240 per kg, lemon local by Rs40 per kg fixed at Rs222 to 230 per kg, sold at Rs300 to 320 per kg. Zucchini local was fixed at Rs88 to 90 per kg, farm fixed at Rs19 to 20 per kg, zucchini long fixed at Rs15 per kg but none of the variety was available on account of wrong pricing issue. Pumpkin was reduced by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs23 to 25 per kg, sold at Rs30 per kg, while pumpkin long was sold at Rs50 per kg. Green chilli was reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs48 to 50 per kg, sold at Rs50 to 80 per kg. Capsicum was fixed Rs14 to 15 per kg not sold on account of wrong pricing issue.