FAISALABAD, Oct 12: The government has failed to check black-marketing of consumer goods of daily use.

Vendors and shopkeepers of flour, vegetables and fruit have been charging according to their will, without following the market rates, according to a survey conducted by this correspondent on Saturday.

People belonging to the middle class have alleged that the district administration has been playing the role of a silent spectator, as the prices of potato, tomato, garlic, ginger, onion, cabbage and the other seasonal vegetables have been enhanced 30 to 35 per cent. Similar is the case with oil, rice, pulse, grains and gram powder.

While most of the traders in the wholesale markets have been selling eatables at 20 per cent higher than the actual rates. Ghee, which was being sold at Rs58 a kilogram during the previous week, has touched Rs62. The rate of gram powder has shot up to Rs26 from Rs22 a kilogram.

A grocery market wholesale dealer, Muhammad Rafique, told this correspondent that the prices of eatables had been enhanced by hoarders ahead of Ramazan. He added that there was no check by any agency of the elected council on hoarding.

Shafiq Ahmad, a Jhang Bazaar retailer, said a majority of the shopkeepers had been selling consumer goods at higher rates compared to those listed by the market committee or Karyana Merchants Association. The government, he alleged, was issuing the lists showing old rates to show a check on prices.

People have demanded the Punjab governor and chief minister to take stock of situation and announce a comprehensive policy for controlling the prices of consumer goods.