October 24, 2006	Tuesday	Ramazan 30, 1427

KARACHI, Oct 23: In the absence of any check both at the federal and provincial levels, a leading producer of tetra pack liquid and powdered milk has increased the rates ahead of Eidul Fitr, while other producers may follow suit.

According to Farid Qureishi, general-secretary of the Karachi Retail Grocers Group (KRGG), Nestle Milkpak tetra pack liquid milk (1.5 litres) will now be sold at Rs55 as compared to Rs54, from October 25, while one litre and half litre packs will be available at Rs38 and Rs22, respectively, as compared to Rs37 and Rs21.

He said the same company had raised the rates in the middle of September ahead of Ramazan. He said that Everyday tea whitener one kg pack, produced by Nestle, would now cost Rs250 as compared to Rs240, while 400-gram pack is now being sold at Rs115 as compared to Rs110.

Mr Farid said multinational companies had been frequently increasing the prices, but the government appeared helpless in taking any action against them.

On the other hand, fresh milk producers are also flexing their muscles to increase the rate to Rs32 from Rs30 per litre after Eid. The city government’s efforts to contain milk prices at Rs28 a litre have failed as majority of retailers were found selling fresh milk at Rs30 per litre. Like fruit and meat sellers, a large number of fresh milk retailers had been fined for overcharging during the holy month.

It is not clear whether the prices, fixed by the city government, had been restricted to only Ramazan or they would be effective for the whole year.

The retailers, who were already violating the official price list, would again start charging the pre-Ramazan rates after Eid in case the city government decides to discontinue checking the official rates.

Chand Raat, the last day before Eid, may see a major price hike as majority of the officials, who were assigned by the city government to check prices, have left for their homes in interior Sindh. The retailers have already started charging higher rates from Monday, especially for meat, chicken and other grocery items after seeing huge rush of buyers in the markets.

A city government official said that some 7,992 retailers were fined Rs10.28 million during September 24 to October 22 for overcharging in which fruits sellers remained on the top with 2,358, followed by 1,606 milk retailers, 1,344 vegetable dealers, 664 meat sellers, 1,676 grocery item retailers and 344 in other categories.

As many as 156 people had been jailed, he said, adding that last year the city government had recovered Rs2.7 million from the retailers for fleecing the consumers.