ISLAMABAD: The shortage of tomatoes has led to an increase in their price from Rs110 per kg to Rs160 per kg during the last week in the twin cities.

A few retailers are even charging between Rs180 and Rs190 for a kg of the kitchen staple in violation of the prices fixed by the federal government in various markets of Islamabad and Rawalpindi including in Aabpara, Gol Market, Golden Market, G-8, Karachi Company, G-9, G-11, G-13, Faizabad, Commercial Centre and Saddar, Rawalpindi.

A shopper in G-13, Sadia, said she was only able to buy half a kilogramme due to the high prices.

She said the price of tomatoes should be between Rs30 and Rs40 since they are locally produced and not imported.

A vendor in Saddar, Noor Khan, said lower prices are better for sales. He said vegetable vendors do not buy much of the vegetable the price of which has increased to avoid incurring losses.

A shopper, Babar Ali, blamed the authorities for the increase in tomato prices and said the lack of planning and irrelevant policies lead to situations like these.

Market Committee Secretary Mohammad Zafar said tomatoes are being supplied from Sindh.

He said the local tomato and onion crop has been damaged due to the change in weather which caused a shortage in supply and a hike in price.

He said supply is usually started from Mirpurkhas and Badin in March, which is ebbing season for the crops in Thatta and Lasbela.

He said the prices are likely to decrease when supply from upper Sindh is received.

Asked about overcharging by vendors, he said rate lists are revised weekly and especially after the prices of petroleum products increase.

He said the list is dispatched to shop owners immediately and they are strictly ordered to follow it.

Mr Zafar claimed the prices of edibles have gone down compared to the past five years and that traders are increasing prices of their own free will.

Action is taken against profiteers and the city magistrate, assistant commissioners and deputy commissioners are bound to keep a strict check on the quality of edibles and their prices, he added.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Hamza Shafqat said the administration welcomes public complaints regarding the violation of the official rate.

“We have closed down many shops for violating the law and imposed heavy fines to stop profiteering,” he said.

The DC said citizens can register their complaints directly with him on his social media accounts.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2019