September 09, 2008	Tuesday	Ramazan 8, 1429

KARACHI, Sept 8: The price-checking campaign initiated about a week ago by the city government has so far not brought uniformity in the prices of essential commodities, particularly fruit, as profiteers continue fleecing consumers in different parts of the city.

Fruit retailers in most areas have not displayed any price list while those who have put the list on display outrightly ignore it. Many swindle consumers on quality by selling an average-rated fruit at the price of the best quality.

The city government that previously used to collect a fine of about Rs2 million during Ramazan from profiteers has already pocketed Rs2.5 million in just six days. However, vendors and retailers, especially of fruit and milk, seem least bothered about the amount collected by the city government as they throw caution to the wind and continue the practice, a random market survey reveals.

In disregard to the official list issued on Monday that fixed the price of No 1 quality golden apples at Rs40 a kilo, retailers in areas neighbouring Tariq Road were seen demanding Rs70 for a kilo of golden apples, while in F.B Area, North Nazimabad and localities abutting it, the rate ranged between Rs40 and Rs60.

Similarly, the city government’s list showed the price of melon as Rs29 a kilo while it was being sold for Rs40 in areas like Tariq Road and Bahadrabad.

There was also a disparity in banana prices as fruit retailers were selling a dozen of No 1 quality bananas for Rs50 and in some areas for Rs60 instead of the official rate of Rs41 a dozen. The price of cheap quality bananas was officially fixed at Rs31 a dozen. However, retailers were found selling it at Rs40 per dozen.

The retail rate of grapes (round) is Rs80 a kilo while Sundar Khani was being sold between Rs150 and Rs160 a kilo. The city government’s rate for round grape and Sundar Khani is Rs75 and Rs105 a kilo, respectively.

Though the official rate of high quality guava was brought down from Rs86 a kilo to Rs66 a kilo on Monday retailers were witnessed selling the fruit for Rs100 a kilo. In some areas low quality guava was sold at Rs60.

Fined, jailed

In charge of the city government’s price-checking campaign Matanat Ali Khan said 2,034 retailers and shopkeepers had been fined worth Rs2.5 million during the first six days of Ramazan. Besides, 169 people had been sent to jail for overcharging since the beginning of the holy month.

Fruit merchants top the list in fleecing the consumers followed by milk sellers, meat sellers and vegetable dealers, he said, adding that a few kiryana item dealers had also been fined for overcharging.

In Defence and Clifton, he said, people were not really bothered about the prices as they bought fruit and other items without asking the price. He told this scribe that when he asked a buyer at a stall about the amount he paid for the fruits he plainly refused to comment, saying that “this is not your concern and mind your own business.” Besides, he said, when fruit vendors start fleeing the markets on the arrival of price-checking officials area residents argued with the magistrates not to create panic in the markets and let them purchase the items freely.

Fair price stalls

An official looking after the fair price stalls, meanwhile, said the consumers’ response had been worsening with every passing day despite the opening of 20 stalls as against the target of 50 stalls.

Market sources said that the government is likely to close down the stalls after 15th Ramazan in view of the poor response of consumers.