LAHORE
Shortage of number of vegetables was recorded in weekly makeshift markets of the city with an increasing trend while wrong price fixation and overcharging issues also existed.
It seems the government has again given a free hand to retailers and vendors to fleece consumers while arguing customers get shut-up calls from vendors in Sunday bazaars. If someone asked the vendors to show the price card issued by the market committee, they asked them to go elsewhere to buy items at officially fixed rates. The attitude is growing with every passing week in the absence of any check from the administrative staff, deterrence of the district and provincial governments which only come out to take action in Ramazan.
Market committee officials on the missing items said that they were not bound to bring any missing item which is openly sold just outsides of the makeshift markets. They said that it was the duty of the administrative staff either to bring vendors within the limits of the makeshift markets or ask them to go away.
This week the price of potato reduced by Re one per kg fixed at Rs 9 to Rs 11 per kg. Onion gained by Rs 2 per kg, fixed at Rs 30 to Rs 35 per kg, while mixed was sold at Rs 35 per kg. Tomato also increased by Re one per kg, fixed at Rs 28 to Rs 32 per kg. Garlic local was enhanced by Rs 15 per kg, fixed at Rs 225 to Rs 215 per kg Chinese garlic by Rs 27 per kg, fixed at Rs 215 to 227 per kg, both sold at Rs 240 to 280 per kg. Ginger Thailand was fixed at Rs 55 to 57 per kg, and Chinese ginger at Rs 85 to 93 per kg, both sold at Rs 100 per kg.
The price of Mongray was unchanged at Rs 18 to 20 per kg, while not sold there and just outside sold at Rs 40 per kg and Bringle was stable at Rs 25 to 30 per kg. Spinach reduced by Rs 3 per kg, fixed at Rs 10 to 15 per kg, sold at Rs 20 per kg. Lemon Chinese gained by Rs 5 per kg, fixed at Rs 40 to 50 per kg, sold at Rs 60 per kg. Bitter gourd reduced by Rs 13 per kg, fixed at Rs 75 to 82 per kg, but missing there and outside sold at Rs 150 per kg. The price of cucumber declined by Rs 15 per kg, fixed at Rs 45 to 50 per kg.
Green chili local gained by Rs 5 per kg, fixed at Rs 40 to 50 per kg, and Farm by Rs 5 per kg, fixed at Rs 30 to 35 per kg, both sold at Rs 50 to 60 per kg. Capsicum reduced by Rs 5 per kg, fixed at Rs 40 to 45 per kg, sold at Rs 50 per kg. Zucchini long increased by Rs 2 per kg, fixed at Rs 17 to 20 and zucchini round by Rs 5 per kg, fixed at Rs 25 to 29 per kg, sold upto Rs 30 per kg.
The price of radish was fixed at Rs 8 to 11 per kg, sold at Rs 15 per kg. Cauliflower was reduced by Rs 2 per kg, fixed at Rs 12 to 16 per kg but missing there while outside sold at Rs 40 per kg, and cabbage fixed at Rs 8 to 10 per kg.
The price of methi declined by Rs 2 per kg, fixed at Rs 9 to 11 per kg, not sold in makeshift markets while outside sold at Rs 40 per kg.
Ladyfinger gained by Rs 15 per kg, fixed at Rs 80 to 90 per kg. Pea was fixed at Rs 30 to 35 per kg, but not sold there due to price fixation row while outside sold at Rs 80 per kg. Carrot increased by Rs 2 per kg, fixed at Rs 10 to 16 per kg, turnip at Rs 8 to 10 per kg.
The price of different variety of apples was fixed at Rs 45 to 110 per kg while sold at Rs 80 to 120 per kg. The price of Kinow A-quality was fixed at Rs 70 to 80 per dozen, sold at Rs 110 per dozen, B-quality at Rs 35 to 40 per dozen, sold at Rs 70 per dozen.
Musami price was fixed at Rs 90 to 100 per dozen, while sold at Rs 80 to 120 per dozen. The price of Malta was fixed at Rs 100 to 110 per dozen with an increase of Rs 26 per dozen, sold at Rs 100 to 120 per dozen, and other variety of citrus fruits at Rs 45 to 85 per dozen, sold at Rs 60 to 100 per dozen. Banana was fixed at Rs 40 to 45 per dozen, sold at Rs 60 per dozen. Guava was fixed at Rs 40 to 45 per kg, low quality, frost affected was sold at Rs 60 per kg. Grapefruit was fixed at Rs 18 to 20 per piece while B-grade sold at Rs 20 per piece.
