Sharp increase in prices of vegetables

Rawalpindi
A sharp increase was witnessed in the prices of all types of vegetables in ‘Sabzi Mandis’ of Rawalpindi disturbing the budget of the already inflation-hit people.
The price of onions increased by Rs35 per kilogram in a week. It is being sold at Rs60 against Rs25 per kilogram even in ‘Sabzi Mandis’. The price of onions had jumped to Rs60 per kilogram against its rate of Rs25 one week back.
Similarly, prices of all kinds of pulses had been increased as ‘daal mash’ was selling at Rs200 against Rs160, ‘daal moong’ at Rs160 against Rs140 and ‘daal channa’ at Rs80 against Rs60.
According to farm experts, prices of pulses went up as majority of them caught worms because of unexpected rains and hailstorms in the country, particularly in
Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
Brinjal was being sold at Rs70 per kilogram, turnip at Rs55 per kilogram, ladyfinger (at Rs110 per kilogram, bittergourd at Rs50 per kilogram, pumpkin (at Rs70 per kilogram, courgette at Rs100 per kilogram, capsicum at Rs100 per kilogram, cauliflower at Rs40 per kilogram, ginger at Rs200 per kilogram and coriander at Rs10 for a small bundle.
Malik Muhammad Ayub Awan, a wholesaler in Rawalpindi vegetable market, has admitted that prices of vegetables have increased once again. He told ‘The News’ that consumers would face inflation till the arrival of new vegetable crops. Secondly, transportation was major factor. He said that after increase in the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs5 last time transporters increased goods transportation rates. The prices of vegetables may decrease after the new production reaches markets, he said.
Riaz Ahmed, another wholesaler, said that prices fluctuate every other day as onions were being sold at Rs25 per kilogram one week back but now being sold at Rs60. All these vegetables of the season were new, therefore, prices were high.
Some other factors including less production, unexpected rains and hailstorms, POL prices also played an important role in increase in prices, he said.
Muhammad Owais, a consumer, said that the concerned authorities were not visiting markets to control inflation. Therefore, common man is facing record price hike in a week. The local management has given shopkeepers a free hand to loot public, he claimed.
Shazia Ahmed, a resident of Rawalpindi, said that it seems there is no government writ. Shopkeepers are selling kitchen items according to their own rates. When any consumer asks about the city district government rate list, the enraged and rigid shopkeepers misbehave with them, she added.
Additional District Collector (ADC) Imran Qureshi said that price magistrates are regularly visiting markets and taking action against profiteers and hoarders. “I am strictly monitoring profiteers and hoarders,” he said.