December 06, 2008	Saturday	Zilhaj 7, 1429

DADU, Dec 5: Eid shopping is going on in the city but in a very low profile because of high prices of everything from dry and green grocery, vegetable, meat, and chicken to shoes and clothing. The trend has left the middle class gasping for breath.It is the first time that a large number of sacrificial animals are brought to Dadu due to unrest in Karachi. Animal traders are bearing heavy losses because of dizzy inflation and low purchases.

Lower class is the hardest hit as they are unable to buy even wheat flour for Eid celebrations what to say of cooking scrumptious meals.

According to Dawn survey, a Dadu labourer Ramazan Babar, earning Rs120 daily with eight mouths to feed cannot even think of indulging in Eid celebrations.

While another, Ghulam Shabir Rajput, a donkey cart owner with eight children does not have means to buy 10kg atta for the Eid. His earning is Rs50 to 60 per day with the price of wheat flour hovering around Rs40 per kg.

However, crowd could be witnessed at Resham Street with majority of women busy in bargaining with the shopkeepers. A female primary teacher, Shabana says that she has used her entire salary on Eid clothes.

Another primary teacher, Dur Mohammad Chandio is annoyed at the district administration for not keeping a check on shopkeepers. He says that lack of will on their part has raised the prices of vegetables, fruit, meat, fishes and food commodities.

A peasant Gul Mohammed of Station road has taken Rs2,000 loan from his landlord from which he could buy shoes and clothes for only five family members out of 10. He curses inflation for not letting his whole family celebrate Eid.

Fruit vendor Nazeer Lohar says that they pay Rs50 to 60 daily to Market Committee as tax and fix the prices of their commodities themselves.

Tailor master Mohammed Juman Kolachi is annoyed at Wapda officials for closing power supply six to seven hours which hampers their work. He says that they earned less this time around as compared to last Eid.

Gardner Moula Bux of Katchery Road says that for him Eid is just another normal day as he cannot afford to buy a single stuff for his family.

Bashir Ahmed Shaikh will celebrate Eid simply as he paid in fees whatever money he had. He slams the government for failing to announce a package for the poor.