September 11, 2007	Tuesday	Sha'aban 28, 1428

VEHARI, Sept 10: Prices of daily-use and other kitchen items have registered a considerable increase ahead of Ramazan despite delegation of magistracy powers to deputy district officers (revenue) to check inflation. Traders have reportedlystarted hoarding essential commodities for windfall profits during the holy month.

Many items, including tomatoes, dates, best quality pulsesand `basan’ have `disappeared’ from various markets of the district. A few months back, the provincial government had introduced the magistracy system in a bid to check price hike and the revenue DDOs were given powers of class-I magistrate in this regard. Despite raids, the DDOs could not bring down prices of vegetables, fruits and other kitchen items which have registered about 50 to 60 per cent increase.

The price of tomato has soared to Rs80 per kilo, onion to Rs30, lady finger Rs30, potato Rs30, chicken Rs150 per kg, Daal Channa Rs70, Daal Moong Rs70, Daal Mash Rs 75, ginger Rs60, flour Rs18 per kilo, sugar Rs40 per kg, ghee Rs105 to Rs110 per kilo and the price of every variety of rice has been increased by Rs5 to Rs10.

Apple, banana, guava and grapes are being sold at Rs60 per kg, Rs40 per dozen, Rs60 per kg and Rs90, respectively. Beef is available between Rs140 to 150 per kg instead of Rs90 fixed by the district government. The rates of mutton and chicken have been increased to Rs280 per kilo and Rs130 against the fixed prices of Rs170 and Rs110.

A group of consumers told Dawn that retailers had increased prices of fruits

and vegetables by 30 to 80 per cent.

On the other hand despite statements by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and other government functionaries, no utility store has so far been opened in small towns like Gagoo, Tibba, Machiwal, Luddan, Thingi, Garahmore, Mitro, Jallajeem and Karampur.

At present there are only three utility stores — Vehari city, Mailsi and Burewala - in the entire district. Even the populous Vehari city has only one utility store in C-block, where consumers, particularly women have to face a great deal of inconvenience to buy things owing to rush. Sometimes many have to return without purchasing anything owing to limited stocks.

Of late the store is facing shortage of sugar. According to storekeeper, sugar is being supplied from Multan twice a week preferably on Mondays or Thursdays. People have complained of low-quality stock at the store.

A consumer told this correspondent that he had come from Luddan to the city store after paying Rs20 bus fare, but sugar and other items were not available here.