MANSEHRA, Sept 15: Hoarders have created an artificial shortage of flour in Mansehra and nearby areas, and despite an increase of Rs200 in the price of a 40-kg bag, the commodity is not available in the local markets.

Despite tall claims of the federal government, the Utility Stores lack items of daily use, Dawn has learnt.

With the advent of Ramazan, prices of items have gone up to an alarming level, whereas the buying power of the common man has gone down.

Enquiries made by this correspondent in markets on the Abbottabad, Shinkiari, Zafar and Kashmir roads, besides the main vegetable market, show that the prices of items of daily use have gone up tremendously.

Flour bags were missing from the wholesale shops. And retailers were selling flour at Rs20 per kilogramme.

The owner of a grocery shop on the Zafar Road told Dawn that as the flour was short in the market, “we bring it from Punjab and because of this the price of a 40-kg bag has risen to Rs800 from Rs600.”

Prices of different pulses

have also registered an increase of 10 to 15 per cent per kilogramme.

The price of Basmati rice has gone up to Rs55 from Rs33 per kilogramme and that of white rice to Rs22 from Rs18 per kilogramme, that of oil to Rs100 from Rs90 per kilogramme and that of ghee to Rs105 from Rs90 per kilogramme.

The prices of vegetables and fruits have also gone up by 35 to 50 per cent. The price of onion has gone up to Rs30 from Rs20 per kilogramme, that of tomato to Rs45 from Rs20 per kilogramme, that of potato Rs30 from Rs15 per kilogramme, that of grapes to Rs60 from Rs40 per kilogramme, and that of apple to Rs55 from Rs35 per kilogramme.

Before the onset of the holy month, a relief package was announced by the government but contrary to its claims, all Utility Stores lacked items of daily use. A manager of a Utility Store told Dawn: “We are not receiving goods from our regional offices despite repeated requests.”