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Tuesday March 19, 2024

Weekly makeshift markets issues unresolved

By Jawwad Rizvi
March 25, 2019

LAHORE: The issues of non-availability of majority of seasonal vegetables and overcharging were not resolved despite all the ‘surprise’ or announced visits made by the chief minister’s adviser on political affairs and convener task force on price control Ch Muhammad Akram to the weekly makeshift markets of the city.

The adviser who was appointed for the province also limited his visits to Lahore only while the issues of overcharging, artificial inflation on edibles were not resolved despite his focus on Lahore. Now the government has started working on price control management and arrangements of special bazaars for the holy month of Ramazan but still failed to resolve the open market and weekly makeshift markets issues faced by the public.

This week again Ch Muhammad Akram visited Shadman Sunday bazaar to inspect the quality and prices of the products. He checked the stalls to monitor price lists and ordered the administration for prompt measures for best cleanliness arrangements. However, he did not take any action on non-availability of green chili, and other missing vegetables there, rather showed satisfaction on arrangements and advised the market committee for more arrangements regarding prices.

The adviser kept on focusing on a non-issue created by a local channel of alleged child labour as the children helping their parents on a holiday was declared child labour by that channel. He imposed fine on child labour, and for not holding original CNIC. He directed vendors to place price list on the front of the shops for the consumers’ convenience.

Talking to the media, the adviser said that the public welfare was the PTI’s agenda and all the stakeholders have to make a strategy for the maximum relief to the public before the arrival of Ramazan. He said that procedure of regular visit to the bazaars was being ensured and there was a need of improvement in local bazaars as compared to makeshift markets. He said that the government would take stern action against profiteers.

Likewise past weeks, this week again majority of seasonal vegetables were not sold in the makeshift markets, despite the rates were increased. This week again number of vegetables, including ladyfinger, pumpkin, radish, green chili, bitter gourd, and other vegetables were not sold on account of wrong pricing. 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 increased by Rs2 per kg, fixed at Rs9 to 11 per kg, while in open markets it was still selling at Rs15 to 20 per kg. Onion rates were stable at Rs26 to 28 per kg for A-category while B-category was sold at Rs28 per kg. The price of tomato was reduced by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs6 to 70 per kg. Garlic local was reduced by Rs20 per kg, fixed at Rs88 to 92 per kg, not available, garlic Chinese was fixed at Rs151 to 158 per kg, sold at Rs160 per kg.

Ginger Chinese stable at Rs155 to 162 per kg, sold at Rs200 per kg, garlic Thai fixed at Rs126 to 132 per kg, sold at Rs160 per kg. Brinjal was reduced by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs39 to 41 per kg, mixed quality was sold at Rs40 per kg. Cucumber farm was gained by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs34 to 36 per kg, sold at Rs40 per kg. Mongray was fixed at Rs55 per kg, not sold on wrong pricing issue. Bitter gourd was fixed at Rs131 to 137 per kg, also not available on pricing issue. Spinach was fixed at Rs14 to 16 kg, while sold at Rs20 per kg.

Lemon Chinese was gained by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs54 to 56 per kg, sold at Rs60 per kg, lemon local was fixed at Rs97 to 102 per kg, sold at Rs140 per kg. Methi was reduced by Rs15 per kg, fixed at Rs29 to 31 per kg, sold at Rs40 per kg. Zucchini long stable at Rs39 to 41 per kg, sold at Rs50 per kg, Zucchini farm fixed at Rs54 to 56 per kg, both sold at Rs60 per kg.

Cauliflower was reduced by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs27 to 29 per kg, sold at Rs40 per kg, cabbage was stable at Rs16 to 18 per kg, sold at Rs20 per kg. Pumpkin was fixed at Rs59 to 62 per kg, sold at Rs70 to per kg, and Pumpkin long was sold at Rs80 to 100 per kg. Turnip was stable at Rs19 to 21 per kg, not sold on account of pricing issue. Green chili gained by Rs20 per kg, fixed at Rs213 to 222 to per kg, not sold there due to pricing issue, while outside sold at Rs400 per kg.

Capsicum was stable at Rs92 to 97 per kg, lower quality was sold at Rs100 per kg. Pea was reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs39 to 41 per kg, lower quality was sold at Rs41 per kg. Radish was stable at Rs12 to 14 per kg, sold at Rs30 per kg. Carrot was increased by Rs2 one per kg, fixed at Rs17 to 19 per kg, sold at Rs20 per kg. Mustard leave was fixed at Rs30 per kg, not available. Coriander was fixed at Rs35 per kg, sold at Rs120 per kg. Beans were sold at Rs200 per kg while no rates were fixed.

Luffa was fixed at Rs85 per kg, sold at Rs100 per kg. Ladyfinger was fixed Rs126 to 132 per kg, sold at Rs140 per kg. Green pea was fixed at Rs80 per kg, sold at Rs300 per kg. The price of different variety of apples was fixed at Rs68 to 142 per kg, sold at Rs100 to 180 per kg.

Banana A-category gained by Rs5 per dozen, fixed at Rs78 to 82 per dozen, B-category was fixed at Rs49 to 51 per dozen, while B-category was sold at Rs80 per dozen. Musammi was gained by Rs20 per kg, fixed at Rs117 to 122 per dozen, not sold on pricing issue. Different varieties of citrus fruit were fixed at Rs83 to 137 per dozen, sold at Rs130 to 180 per dozen.

Sweet potato was fixed at Rs34 to 36 per kg, not sold on pricing issue. Guava was stable at Rs54 to 56 per kg, sold at Rs60 per kg.