RAWALPINDI: The district administration appears to have failed to implement food prices set by the district’s market committee in the garrison city, as food items continue to be sold at high prices while price magistrates seem unable to implement directives.

Tomatoes are being sold for Rs200 per kilogramme compared to the official price of Rs180 per kg, while diner is being sold for Rs600 per kg instead of the official price of Rs545 per kg. Garlic is being sold for Rs210 per kg compared to the official price of Rs188 per kg, potatoes for Rs90 per kg compared to the official price of Rs80 per kg, onions for Rs95 compared to the official price of Rs80 per kg, eggs for Rs190 per dozen compared to the official price of Rs165 per dozen and chicken for Rs195 per kg instead of the official price of Rs185 per kg.

The district administration has fixed the price of mutton at Rs800 per kg and beef at Rs400 per kg, but both are being sold for Rs1,300 per kg and Rs600 per kg, respectively.

Rawalpindi residents have complained about the high prices of edibles in the open market.

“The shopkeepers are charging more but no one stops them. Who says the price of mutton is Rs800 per kg? In the market, the price is Rs1,300 per kg, and the prices of vegetables are also different,” Sultan Ahmed, who lives in Arya Mohallah, said.

Mohanpura resident Mohammad Sikander said the district administration had failed to control food prices. He said people are having difficulty buying sugar, wheat, meat, vegetables and lentils.

He added that the average person’s income has not increased in many years, while food prices have risen significantly. There is no one in the government to control the price hike, he said.

People are having difficulty managing their household budget with a limited income and cannot bear the inflation, Sajjad Khan, who lives in Dhoke Khabba, said. He added that he is working two jobs just to meet his kitchen expenses.

Some people also said that while the commissioner and deputy commissioners had in the past monitored markets every day, they were now busy in their offices.

Shopkeepers have argued that they are not to blame for the rise in prices, saying they buy goods at high prices in the retail market and cannot sell them for lower rates.

Rawalpindi Traders Association President Sharjeel Mir said the district administration has fixed prices without consulting traders and shopkeepers and they do not know the ground realities of the market.

He said it was not possible for shopkeepers to sell edible goods at a low price when they have to pay more to buy them in the retail market.

A senior district administration official said the main problem was hoarding, as some people were storing edibles and selling them at higher rates. He said the administration has imposed large fines, but shopkeepers do not implement the government’s price list.

Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2020