September 25, 2006	Monday	Ramazan 1, 1427

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ATTOCK, Sept 24: The prices of food items including vegetables and fruits increased by 15 to 50 percent and the district administration failed to set up Sasta bazaars to provide relief to the consumers with the advent of the holy month of Ramazan.

People said enforcing price control through the newly- appointed magistrates may not provide relief as it had so far failed to tighten the noose around the big hoarders.

They said the district administration was reluctant in maintaining the price mechanism and had passed the responsibility on to the ineffective price fixing committee.

During a survey here on Sunday, it was found that retailers had increased the prices of vegetables and fruits by 30 to 50 percent.

Tomato, potato and onion were selling at Rs40, Rs28 and Rs18 per kg against Rs30, Rs20 and Rs14 per kg, respectively, a day earlier.

Tea was selling at Rs280 per kg from Rs230 per kg and red chillies for Rs100 per kg.

The prices of gourd and lady finger increased from Rs20 per kg to Rs35 and Rs40 per kg. Lemon and green chillies were selling at Rs50 and Rs60 per kg.

Similarly, beef was available at Rs110 to Rs120 per kg against the earlier rate of Rs100, mutton from Rs220 to Rs230 per kg against Rs200, while milk was available at Rs26 to Rs28 per litre.

Apple were selling at Rs50 to Rs60 per kg; banana at Rs30 to Rs45 per dozen, guavas at Rs25 per kg and grapes at Rs80 per kg, while Rs10 to Rs50 per kg were increased in the rates of other fruits.

The rates of poultry have also increased from Rs70 per kg to Rs79 per kg.

The consumers also expressed concern over the price control campaign through the special magistrates, saying that only small retailers were being targeted, while those supplying them the food items at inflated rates were ignored.

They stressed the need for reorganising the district price control and price fixing committees and demanded that the government should provide relief to the consumers by implementing the Ramazan package. DCO Bashir Ahmed Farooqi was not available for comments.

Office bearers elected: The annual elections of Himmat Welfare Society were held here on Saturday.