Implementation of price lists by shopkeepers has always been an issue of grave concern in Lahore in particular and other cities and towns in general.

The vendors consider the price lists only a formality that hardly to be pursued, while officials concerned term it beneficial for regulating prices so as to provide essential commodities, vegetables and fruits to citizens on justified rates in the open market.

As the price lists are issued to each vendor by market committee officials on a daily basis, the trend, standard and prices of essential items, mainly vegetables and fruits vary in posh and poor localities.

Since shopkeepers charge 50 to 100 per cent more from customers than the price mentioned in official price lists, those responsible for taking action against overcharging only recommend amendment to the outdated price control laws and increase in fines and imprisonment period.

“The price lists are just a formality. We display it at our outlets only for the satisfaction of the government and not for the buyers. The rates mentioned in the price lists by the market committee are not real. We are just being forced to follow. But the truth is we cannot implement them,” said a vendor of fruits and vegetables in Johar Town.

He said that officials only prepared lists and fixed the rates, but they didn’t count the overhead expenditures that we had to spend. “See the list. Here the price of watermelon is mentioned Rs27 per kg. But I swear that it costs us Rs45 per kg. We are forced to sell it for Rs55 or 60 per kg. And tell us how can we follow the rates mentioned in the list,” he said.

Lahore’s market committee secretary Shehzad Cheema rejected the claims made by vendors. “They (vendors) are cheats. They are looting the people with both hands with unlawful profiteering,” he alleged.

He said the auction of all fruits and vegetables were always held under strict monitoring of a committee comprising officials, wholesalers and retailers.

He said that officials prepared the lists and fixed prices on a daily basis after assessing the wholesale rates, overhead charges and transportation expenses. “And if shopkeepers follow the price lists sincerely even then they can earn 10 to 15 per cent profit on each item,” he added.

He quoted examples of Sunday bazaars where all vendors sold vegetables and fruits on the rates mentioned in the official lists.

The secretary said a couple of months ago, owners of several big stores also had the same problem. “We called them all in the Badami Bagh vegetable and fruit market. These owners checked the process of auction and fixation of rates by us at the market. They expressed satisfaction and started following the price lists,” he added.

Admitting the non-implementation of rates of price lists by shopkeepers, Mr Cheema said it was not possible for over 70 price control magistrates to check each shop in a city of over 10 million population.

He said the industry department had sometime back moved a proposal to the government for appointing the dedicated price control magistrates who could exclusively deal with the issue. “I am sure the government is working on this proposal. And soon we will get such officials who will help resolve the issue,” he said.

Mr Cheema also sought amendment to the price control laws with enhancement of punishments for those who were involved in overcharging.

Last week, the Lahore Parking Company had its major parking lot closed at Nila Gunband on the recommendation of the traffic police in the wake of massive traffic congestion and the law and order situation. The parking lot had been handed over by the LPC to a foreign company under an agreement sometime back. “Since one side of the Nila Gunband is still being used for parking purpose, several sides of this large parking lot have been closed,” LPC Managing Director Taseer Ahmad told Dawn.

He said the Nila Gunband was being redesigned to make parking and its regulations more affective.

He said the LPC would soon hand over its 15 more parking lots to the company. “Since we have already handed over 38 parking stands to the firm, over 15 more will be given to it in about 10 days,” he added. (khalidpak284@yahoo.com)

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2015

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