September 06, 2008	Saturday	Ramazan 05, 1429

KARACHI, Sept 5: Instead of taking steps to make traders and vendors follow the government-prescribed rates, the city government has allowed an increase in the rates of the fruit that are in great demand in Ramazan. Banana, melon, apple and peach prices fixed on the first of Ramazan have been increased after just three days.

The price of high quality bananas has been raised from Rs45 to Rs52 per dozen and that of melons from Rs26 to Rs36 per kg. The price of apples (golden) has been raised to Rs40 per kg from Rs32 per kg and that of apple (gaja) from Rs30 per kg to Rs32 per kg. The price of peaches has been increased to Rs50 from Rs45 per kg.

The rate of high quality guava has been reduced to Rs66 from Rs86 per kg. The rate of chikko has also been reduced to Rs62 per kg as against Rs66 fixed earlier. Price of the Iranian dates has been brought down to Rs86 per kg from Rs100.

Despite the changes, consumers have not yet received any remarkable relief as prices of fruit varied area-wise.

Banana rates at different markets ranged between Rs50 and Rs60 per dozen and some retailers on Burnes Road were selling high-quality bananas, wrapped in silver paper, at Rs70 per dozen.

Guavas were selling at Rs100-120 per kg and melons at Rs40 per kg. The price of good quality golden apple was Rs60 per kg while grapes were available at Rs120-160 per kg.

Most of fruit retailers have not displayed the CDGK price list at their outlets, thus keeping their customers unaware of the reduction in prices of some fruit. However, they appeared smart enough to charge the higher prices of the fruits made costlier by the CDGK, arguing that their rates at the Sabzi Mandi had surged substantially.

Meanwhile, milk retailers continued to charge Rs40-44 per litre from customers in many areas of the city although the official rate has been fixed at Rs37 per litre.

—Staff Reporter