Overcharging persists at weekly makeshift markets

LAHORE: Issue of overcharging and non-availability of majority of perishable items in the weekly makeshift market persisted while the price control committee chairman just made ‘eyewash’ visit to Shadman bazaar.

The visit was for the photo session while most of the vegetables were not sold during his visit besides overcharging on the number of vegetables and fruits. The vendors in the market sold B-grade fruit at A-grade price with the connivance of the administration and market committee Lahore which issued price cards without checking the quality of fruits. Thus the consumers were compelled to pay higher price for the lower grade items.

The price control committee chairman during the visit registered FIRs against two vendors for under weighing, suspended three stalls for sale of substandard items and warned six stall holders. However, he did not take action against overcharging.

Radish pods (mongray), turnip, radish, cauliflower, cabbage Fenugreek (methi), capsicum, zucchini, cauliflower, pumpkin, 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 chili, garlic, ginger, sweet pumpkin and ladyfinger and almost all fruits.

This week price of potato was increased by Rs2 per kg, fixed at Rs13 to 14 per kg for makeshift markets and Rs14 to 15 per kg for open markets. In open markets, it was sold at Rs20 per kg.

The price of onion was unchanged at Rs23 to 25 per kg. The price of tomato was reduced by Rs6 per kg, fixed at Rs22 to 24 per kg, sold at Rs25 per kg. Garlic China was stable at Rs107 to 110 per kg, and garlic local at Rs68 to 70 per kg, sold at Rs100 to 160 per kg and makeshift markets and outside at Rs60 to 80 per kg.

Ginger Chinese price increased by Rs50 per kg, fixed at Rs190 to 200 per kg, and Thai by Rs55 per kg, was fixed at Rs165 to 170 per kg, and it was sold at Rs200 per kg. The price of brinjal was stable at Rs26 to 28 per kg, sold at Rs30 per kg.

Cucumber local was increased by Rs17 per kg, fixed at Rs33 to 35 per kg, sold at Rs50 per kg, and Farm at Rs17 to 18 per kg, while market committee issued Rs25 per kg rate for it in makeshift markets ignoring official price list. Bitter gourd was reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs33 to 35 per kg. Spinach was stable at Rs11 to 12 per kg, sold at Rs20 per kg.

Lemon Chinese was fixed at Rs145 to 150 per kg, sold at Rs240 per kg, lemon local increased by Rs20 per kg fixed at Rs241 to 250 per kg, sold at Rs300 per kg. Zucchini local was fixed at Rs68 to 70 per kg, sold at Rs80 per kg, farm fixed at Rs14 to 15 per kg, zucchini long fixed at Rs15 per kg but both variety were not available on account of wrong pricing issue.

Pumpkin was unchanged at Rs23 to 25 per kg, not sold on wrong pricing issue. Green chili was fixed at Rs48 to 50 per kg, sold at Rs50 to 80 per kg. Capsicum was gained by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs23 to 25 per kg, not sold on account of wrong pricing issue.

Beans were sold at Rs200 per kg while no price was issued by the market committee to it. Carrot price was gained by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs30 kg, not available on account of wrong pricing. Fenugreek (Methi) was increased by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs35 per kg, not sold on wrong pricing. Turnip was gained by Rs3 per kg, fixed at Rs17 to 18 per kg, not sold on wrong pricing issue. Radish was gained by Rs2 per kg, fixed at Rs11 to 12 kg, not available on wrong pricing.

Cauliflower was increased by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs28 to 30 per kg, not available on wrong pricing, and cabbage fixed at Rs14 to 15 per kg, sold at Rs40 per kg. Pea was gained by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs58 to 60 per kg, sold at Rs70 per kg. Ladyfinger was reduced by Rs15 per kg, fixed at Rs738 to 75 per kg, sold at Rs80 per kg. Sweet pumpkin was fixed at Rs12 per kg, sold at Rs30 to 40 per kg. Luffa was stable at Rs38 to 40 kg, sold at Rs50 per kg. Different variety of apples was fixed at Rs78 to 140 per kg, sold at Rs80 to 160 per kg.

Banana A-quality was fixed at Rs73 to 75 per dozen, sold at Rs100 per dozen, and B-quality at Rs43 to 45 per dozen, sold at Rs75 per dozen. Guava was gained by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs55 per kg, sold at Rs100 per kg. Papaya was increased by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs100 per kg, sold at Rs120 per kg.

Strawberry A-grade was fixed at Rs88 to 90 per kg, and B-grade at Rs58 to 60 per kg, and it sold at Rs100 per kg. Melon A-grade was fixed at Rs43 to 45 per kg, sold at Rs50 to 60 per kg, melon round white and yellow was fixed at Rs28 to 40 per kg, sold at Rs50 per kg. Watermelon was fixed at Rs15 to 28 per kg, sold at Rs30 to 35 per kg. Lokat was fixed at Rs107 to 110 per kg, while B-quality was sold at Rs100 per kg.