RAWALPINDI: Though administrations of Rawalpindi and Islamabad joined hands to check prices, vegetables and fruits are still selling high in Rawalpindi in violation of the official price list.

It has been observed that shopkeepers do not bother to follow the official price list of daily-use items, including fruits and vegetables. On the other hand, the district administration seems helpless to establish its writ in the markets.

Mutton is being sold at Rs1,100-Rs1,200 per kg against the official price of Rs850 per kg and beef is available at Rs550-Rs650 per kg against the official rate of Rs425-450. Chicken is available at Rs165 per kg while officially its price has been fixed at Rs155 per kg. Eggs are selling at Rs140 per dozen compared to the official rate of Rs134 per dozen.

Milk is available at Rs120 per litre against the official price of Rs80 per litre and curd at Rs130 per kg against Rs90 per kg fixed by the government.

Tomato price could not be brought down even after three months and is still over Rs100 per kg

Potatoes are selling at Rs60 per kg against the official price of Rs45 per kg, onion at Rs70 per kg against Rs55 per kg, garlic at Rs300 per kg against Rs270 per kg, ginger at Rs400 per kg against Rs310 per kg, tomatoes at Rs130-Rs140 per kg against the official price of Rs118 per kg, carrot at Rs45 per kg, peas at Rs130 per kg, cabbage and cauliflower at Rs80 and Rs60 per kg, respectively, and cucumber at Rs100 per kg.

Apple is available at Rs150 per kg, orange at Rs150 per dozens, banana at Rs70 per dozen, pomegranate at Rs250 per kg, dates at Rs320 per kg, grapes at Rs150 per kg and guava at Rs80 per kg.

During a visit to different markets, it was observed that Dal Channa was being sold at Rs130 per kg, Dal Masoor at Rs175, Dal Maash at Rs225 per kg, rice at Rs200-Rs220 per kg and sugar Rs80 per kg.

“Meat, vegetables and pulses have gone out of the reach of common man. For the last three months, tomato prices could not come down and it is still selling at over Rs100 per kg,” said Rizwan Waris, a visitor to Committee Chowk Bazaar. He said the price hike had affected the life of the common man.

He said the government should monitor and check price hike of daily-use items and ensure implementation of its official price list.

Mohammad Farhan, a teacher, said salaried class could not afford buying chicken or meat.

“I have nine members in my family and it is difficult to provide them meat once a week as my salary is not more than Rs38,990 per month.

“In old days, Dal was the main food item for poor but now it is available at Rs225 per kg,” he said.

Asad Mujtaba, a visitor to Haideri Chowk, said doctors had advised him to give eggs and meat to his children and old-age people in the cold weather.

“But salaried class people are unable to provide these to their children and parents,” he said.

On the other hand, a senior official of the district administration said they were working hard to control the prices and had imposed Rs30 million fines during the last three to four months and lodged FIRs against more than 1000 people for violating the price list.

“All shopkeepers buy fruits and vegetables from Islamabad’s main market at I-11. Mostly, the products are brought to the market from inner Punjab and their prices increased due to transportation charges and weather conditions like fog and smog.”

He said the capital administration had issued separate lists for low income salary group areas and upscale localities. As traders of Rawalpindi also purchased vegetables and fruits from the main market they also follow the rates of the adjoining city.

“The third problem faced by the administration to control prices in the open market is that there is no production of vegetables, fruits, meat and dairy products in the district and they all come from other parts of the country. Traders increase the prices due to revised transportation charges by suppliers,” he said.

Published in Dawn, January 13th, 2020

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