LAHORE : ‘Surprise visits’ of Chief Minister’s Task Force Convener Akram Chaudhry to Sunday Bazaar continued this week as well where all issues were highlighted expect overcharging, non-availability of majority of items on account of wrong pricing and sale of substandard vegetables and fruits at A-grade price.
The price of tomato was further gained by Rs30 per kg, fixed at Rs103 to 110 per kg, in the makeshift markets lower quality was sold at Rs80 per kg, while in open markets sold at Rs140 to 160 per kg.
This week he made a ‘surprise visit’ to Gulshan Ravi Sunday Bazaar for which media was already invited and informed a day before. Besides, reminder to media was also issued in the morning about the ‘surprise visit’ of the convener to the weekly makeshift market.
Interestingly, likewise his past visits to the weekly makeshift markets, this week again he focused and talked about poor security arrangements there ordering imposition of fine to those vendors who did not display price cards – which were in good number – and improving the cleanliness in makeshift markets. However, this remained verbal order as no action was taken against the vendors who did not display price cards and openly overcharged expect issuing warnings to four vendors and token fine to two on overcharging. He ordered removing encroachments from the bazaar. Besides, he announced the maiden meeting of the task force on price in coming days.
Despite this visit, increasing trend in the prices of seasonal fruits and vegetables continued while he did not respond to non-availability of tomato and its surging prices. This week again increasing trend in the rates of majority of perishable items was recorded while issue of non-availability of number of vegetables in weekly makeshift markets persisted on account of wrong price fixation.
This week again seasonal vegetables, including brinjal, mongray and radish were not sold in the Sunday Bazaars due to pricing issue. Rotten vegetables and fruits were sold at A-grade rates while A-grade items were not sold in any of the makeshift markets of the city. This week price of potato was stable at Rs8 to 10 per kg, while in open markets, it was still selling at Rs20 to 25 per kg. Onion rates were reduced by Re one per kg, fixed at Rs17 to 19 per kg, lower quality was sold at Rs19 per kg.
The price of tomato was further gained by Rs30 per kg, fixed at Rs103 to 110 per kg, in the makeshift markets lower quality was sold at Rs80 per kg, while in open markets sold at Rs140 to 160 per kg.
Garlic local was gained by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs97 to 100 per kg, not available, garlic Chinese was increased by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs131 to 135 per kg, sold at Rs150 to 160 per kg. Ginger Chinese stable at Rs155 to 160 per kg, sold at Rs200 per kg, garlic Thai reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs131 to 135 per kg, sold at Rs160 per kg.
Brinjal was also unchanged at Rs38 to 40 per kg, sold at Rs50 per kg. Cucumber farm was reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs38 to 40 per kg, sold at Rs40 to 50 per kg. Mongray was stable at Rs50 per kg, sold at Rs60 to 80 per kg. Bitter gourd was fixed at Rs117 to 120 per kg, also not available on pricing issue.
Spinach was stable at Rs16 to 17 kg, while market committee issued Rs17 and 25 per kg price and it sold at Rs25 per kg. Lemon Chinese was fixed at Rs48 to 50 per kg, sold at Rs60 per kg. Methi was increased by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs28 to 30 per kg, sold at Rs30 to 40 per kg. Both Zucchini long and farm gained by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs38 to 40 per kg, sold at Rs50 per kg.
Cauliflower was declined by Rs4 per kg, fixed at Rs9 to 10 per kg, sold at Rs20 per kg, cabbage was gained by Rs3 per kg, fixed at Rs14 to 15 per kg, sold at Rs20 per kg. Pumpkin was fixed Rs53 to 55 per kg, sold at Rs80 per kg. Turnip was increased by Rs3 per kg, fixed at Rs12 to 13 per kg, sold at Rs15 to 20 per kg.
Green chili gained by Rs40 per kg, fixed at Rs68 to 70 per kg, sold Rs120 to 160 per kg. Capsicum was reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs88 to 90 per kg, lower quality was sold at Rs100 per kg. Pea was stable at Rs28 to 30 per kg, rain-hit sold at Rs30 per kg. Radish was increased by Rs2 per kg, fixed at Rs11 to 12 per kg, not sold on pricing issue, while outside sold at Rs30 per kg. Carrot was gained by Rs3 per kg, fixed at Rs15 to 16 per kg, available after one month break. Mustard leave was fixed at Rs23 to 25 per kg, sold at Rs30 per kg. Coriander was fixed at Rs30 per kg, sold at Rs100 per kg. Beans were sold at Rs200 per kg against the price of Rs160 per kg.
The price of different variety of apples was gained by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs58 to 140 per kg, sold at Rs100 to 180 per kg.
Banana A- category stable at Rs63 to 65 per dozen, not available there, B-category was fixed at Rs38 to 40 per dozen, sold at Rs65 per dozen. Orange was fixed at Rs88 to 90 per dozen, sold at Rs80 to 120 per dozen.
Different varieties of citrus fruits were fixed at Rs43 to 85 per dozen, sold at Rs60 to 150 per dozen, as market committee issued Rs150 per dozen to some variety of citrus fruit.
Sweet potato was fixed at Rs33 to 35 per kg, sold at Rs50 per kg. Guava was fixed at Rs48 to 50 per kg, sold at Rs60 per kg. Grape fruit was fixed at Rs17 to 18 per piece, sold at Rs15 to 20 per piece. Papaya was fixed at Rs92 to 95 per kg, sold at Rs100 per kg. Coconut whole was fixed at Rs136 to 140 per piece, sold at Rs150 per piece. Strawberry A quality was fixed at Rs174 to 180 per kg, sold at Rs300 per kg, and B-quality was fixed at Rs97 to 100 per kg, sold at Rs180 to 200 per kg. Dates were fixed at Rs145 to 150 per kg, sold at Rs200 to 350 per kg.
