September 03, 2008	Wednesday	Ramazan 2, 1429

ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI, Sept 2: Prices of consumer items increased sharply in the markets of Islamabad and Rawalpindi on the first day of Ramazan, reflecting the helplessness of the price regulators and the lust for profit of the business community.

Items particularly in demand during Ramazan were available at government-fixed prices only at the Sasta bazaars (fair price markets) set up by the local administrations in the two cities but at the cost of quality, according to buyers.

In the retail markets, however, prices of vegetables, fruits, poultry and other kitchen items were determined by the wholesalers who saw an opportunity in the greater demand for these items during Ramazan to maximize their profits.

Local administrations’ assurances to control such profiteering turned out to be tall claims. Prices of vegetables and fruits jumped by as much as 50 per cent in the open markets in Rawalpindi and Atta was in short supply all over the city.

Dawn tried to get a comment on the situation from Rawalpindi Market Committee’s secretary Ms Kiran Joseph but every time was told by her office that she was “out on a market survey”.Islamabad’s Deputy Commissioner Amir Ali Ahmad, however, acknowledged the problems faced by shoppers in the Sasta bazaars in the federal capital on the first day of Ramazan. “It was the first day. We know the problems now and will overcome them in a day or two,” he said when told about the poor quality of items sold in G-7 Sasta bazaar.

“Some 50 traders had applied for stalls in the bazaar but only 20 set up their stalls on the first day. Others seemed to have preferred to watch how the business went on the first day. Now they are eager to set their stalls,” the deputy commissioner told Dawn.

Though the rates of fruits, vegetables and meat were considerably lower in Sasta Bazaar as compared to the open market, it has been observed that there are some problems which need to be addressed urgently.

Consumers complained that the quality of food stuff was not as good as available at retail shops in different markets.

The local administration claimed that it would ensure sale of good quality food on Wednesday.

“It’s not a profitable business from traders’ point of view to run a stall in Sasta Bazaar, but we are encouraging them so that more vendors come and have a positive competition, triggering a further decrease in prices,” the deputy commissioner said.

It was observed that despite mentioning the rates of meat – mutton and beef – in the official price list displayed in the bazaar, no meat stall was operating on the first day.

A limited stock of chicken was brought to the bazaar that was sold out within a few hours. Like many other consumer items, the rate of chicken was also quite low as it was selling in Sasta Bazaar at Rs100 per kg against its open market rate of Rs120 per kg.

The local administration assured that both beef and mutton would be available in the bazaar from Wednesday.

The rate of mutton and beef mentioned in the price list was also quite less than that prevailing in the open markets, as the price of mutton in Sasta Bazaar would be Rs250 per kg against its retail market price ranging between Rs300 and Rs350. Similarly, beef will be sold at Rs110 in the bazaar whereas its retail price is Rs170 per kg.

Wheat flour was also selling at reduced rate (Rs300 per 20kg) in Sasta Bazaar but there was short supply of the commodity.

“Actually we didn’t know how much bags will be required, therefore, we brought limited quantity,” the owner of a flour stall holder said.

Some of the visitors, who had come to the bazaar from far-off areas, asked the local administration to set up such markets in other parts of the federal capital so that more and more people could benefit from the relief.

The local administration also launched a campaign against profiteers and during surprise raids magistrates imposed fines amounting to Rs23,600 on 50 shopkeepers. Three traders were arrested from F-10 Markaz. They were identified as Adnan Abbasi, Jehangir and Yasir.

VEGETABLES: A comparison between prices of kitchen items in Sasta Bazaar and open market showed a marked difference as potatoes were selling in the bazaar at Rs130 per 5kg against their market rate of Rs160 per 5kg.

Similarly, onion was available at Rs165 per 5kg in the bazaar and it was being sold at Rs180 per 5kg at retail level.

The price of tomatoes in Sasta Bazaar was Rs34 per kg against the open market rate of Rs40 pr kg. Ginger was sold at Rs75 per kg in the bazaar against its retail price of Rs120 per kg.

A decrease of Rs22 was observed in the price of garlic in Sasta Bazaar as it was selling there at Rs38 per kg and its market price was Rs60 per kg. The rate of lemons was Rs65 per kg against the retail price of Rs80 per kg. Chillies were available at Rs26 per kg against the market price of Rs36 per kg.

FRUITS: Fruits were also selling at cheaper rates in the Sasta Bazaar as the rate of bananas there was Rs23-48 per dozen against their market price of Rs60 per dozen. Apples were being sold in Sasta Bazaar at Rs45 per kg and at retail level they were available at Rs60-70 per kg.

Grapes were available at the all-time high price of Rs200 per kg at retail shops, while their rate in Sasta Bazaar was Rs88 per kg. Peaches were sold at Rs38 per kg in the Sasta Bazaar against their market rate of Rs60 per kg.

RAWALPINDI: All arrangements made by the City District Government Rawalpindi (CDGR) to keep the prices of eatables items stable turned out to be a futile exercise on the very first day of Ramazan.

It seemed that the administration left the people at the mercy of wholesalers who left no stone unturned to aggravate the miseries of the people already hit hard by the ever-increasing inflation.

The market committee, which keeps its finger on the pulse of wholesale market rates for vegetables, fruits, poultry and other kitchen items, appeared ineffective as the rates jumped overnight by at least 50 per cent.

Shortage of wheat flour was felt in many parts of the city, though the commodity was available at outlets like Sasta Bazaars and fair-price shops set up by the Punjab government.

Among the fruits whose prices have gone up were grapes, banana, guava, apples, water melons, peaches and mangoes.Grapes now cost between Rs130-Rs150 per kg and banana Rs50-60 per dozen. Likewise, the rate of apples, guava, watermelon and peaches shot up by at least 30 per cent. Prices of vegetables also rose in the same fashion.

In Rawalpindi, brisk shopping by people was witnessed at outlets of the Utility Stores Corporation and the Canteen Stores Department and other markets in the city.