Admin fails to control artificial price hike

LAHORE
Massive overcharging along with increase in the prices of some essential items was witnessed this week while majority of them were missing from the weekly makeshift markets due to price fixation issue.
Exchange of harsh words, and quarrelling incidents were also reported in different weekly bazaars between the shoppers and sellers while administrative staff of these bazaars failed to control the artificial price-hike.
The district government has continued its drive against the artificial price-hike and penalising the vendors both in shape of imposition of fines and imprisonments on daily basis. But it has been unable to control the overcharging and ensure the availability of vegetables at official rates in the weekly makeshift markets. These markets are administrated by the town municipal authorities of different towns which fall directly under the jurisdiction of the district government.
The town officials are deputed at these bazaars to ensure availability of quality fruits and vegetables at official rates but the visitors of these bazaars are at the mercy of the vendors. This has become a regular phenomena that the number of seasonal vegetables is not being sold in these markets while just outside these bazaars openly sold at double or more than double rates. But no government authority ever took action against them. Even these vendors sold all items more than the official rates fixed by the market committee for the open market. This exposes the wrong price control and fixation mechanism in the city which is directly depicting the level of the good governance of the provincial government.
This week the price of potato new was further increased by Re one per kg, fixed at Rs32 to 37 per kg, potato sugar-free by Rs2 per kg, fixed at Rs20 to 22 per kg, and potato stored at Rs12 to 14 per kg, while sugar-free was sold at Rs37 per kg. Onion price was reduced by Rs2 per kg, fixed at Rs45 to 48 per kg, while B-grade was sold at Rs480 per kg, and A-grade was sold at Rs70 to 80 per kg. The price of tomato was gained by Rs40 per kg, fixed at Rs90 to 94 per kg, but not sold there while just outside these bazaars sold at Rs120 to 140 per kg. Garlic local price was fixed at Rs130 to 140 per kg, garlic Chinese reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs155 to 165 per kg, while both sold at Rs150, and 170, per kg, respectively. The price of ginger Chinese was stable at Rs100 to 110 per kg, while sold at Rs120 per kg. Brinjal price was reduced by Rs3 per kg, fixed at Rs22 to 25 per kg. Bitter gourd price was gained by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs60 to 65 per kg, while sold at Rs70 per kg. The price of spinach was gained by Re one per kg, fixed at Rs15 to 20 per kg, sold at Rs20 to 25 per kg. Both Zucchini local was fixed at Rs55 to 60 per kg, with an increase of Rs5 per kg, and farm was fixed at Rs45 to 50 per kg, while sold at Rs60 per kg. Lemon Chinese was reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs45 to 55 per kg, sold at Rs60 to 70 per kg. Methi price was gained by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs18 to 20 per kg, not available there while just outside sold at Rs60 per kg.
The price of cauliflower was reduced by Rs3 per kg, fixed at Rs10 to 15 per kg, sold at Rs30 to 50 per kg, while cabbage was gained by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs35 to 40 per kg, sold at Rs50 per kg. Luffa price was gained by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs30 to 35 per kg but missing, pumpkin price was fixed at Rs15 to 18 per kg, sold at Rs20 to 25 per kg.
Green Chilli local was fixed at Rs50 to 55 per kg, green Chilli farm at Rs70 to 80 per kg, while both sold at Rs80 to 100 per kg. Capsicum price was gained by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs90 to 100 per kg, not available there while outside the markets sold at Rs140 to 160 per kg.
The price of arum was fixed at Rs37 to 40 per kg, but missing, ladyfinger at Rs30 to 35 per kg, sold at Rs 60 per kg. Pea price was gained by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs140 to 150 per kg, sold at Rs160 per kg, carrot was stable at Rs25 to 35 per kg. The price of radish was stable at Rs8 to 12 per kg, sold at Rs15 per kg, turnip was fixed at Rs10 to 16 per kg, mixed was sold at Rs20 per kg. Cucumber local was fixed at Rs30 to 35 per kg, Farm at Rs25 to 30 per kg, sold at Rs35 to 40 per kg. The price of different variety of apples was fixed at Rs30 to 110 per kg, sold at Rs50 to 120 per kg. Pomegranate kandhari was fixed at Rs95 to 140 per kg, while B-grade was sold at Rs130 to 140 per kg, Pomegranate bedanda was fixed at Rs180 to 190 per kg, sold at Rs250 per kg. Guava price was gained by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs40 to 50 per kg, sold at Rs50 to 60 per kg. Both Water nut and sweet potato were was fixed at Rs35 to 45 per kg, and sold at Rs 50 per kg. Corn was fixed at Rs8 to 10 per kg, sold at Rs30 per kg. Persimmon price was fixed at Rs50 to 60 per kg.
The price of grapes Gola was fixed at Rs90 to 95 per kg, grapes Tofi at Rs100 to 120 per kg, and Sundarkhani at Rs170 to 190 per kg, sold at Rs140 to 200 per kg range. The price of banana A-grade was gained by Rs5 per dozen fixed at Rs40 to 45 per dozen, B-grade at Rs25 to 30 per dozen, while sold at Rs40 to 70 per dozen.