FAISALABAD, Oct 7: Hoarders and profiteers have failed all arrangements of the administration to keep in check the prices of consumer goods in the month of Ramazan.

Prices of almost all essential items have been increased by 15 to 25 per cent.

During a round of the city, some areas including commercial centres and residential localities, it was observed that prices of fruits, vegetables, ghee, pulses, gram-powder and other kitchen articles had surged beyond imagination.

The trend of displaying price lists by vendors and shopkeepers have also become out of commission due to the negligence of officials concerned of the local administration.

The multi-national and national companies have also jumped into the price spiral and escalated the prices of powder milk and ghee.

The 5kg ghee tin, which was available at Rs338, is now being sold at Rs358. The prices of loose ghee have been raised from Rs56 to Rs60 per kg. The sugar, which was available in the market at Rs26 per kg, is being marketed at Rs30 per kg.

The gram powder, the main iftar food item, is being sold at Rs34 per kg as against its previous week price of Rs26. The prices of red chili powder have been enhanced from Rs70 per kg to Rs100 per kg. While prices of all pulses have been increased by Rs3 to Rs4 per kg.

Likewise, ginger prices have been enhanced from Rs80 per kg to Rs100 per kg while the potato is being sold at Rs28 per kg as against its previous week price of Rs22 per kg.

Peas are being marketed at Rs48 per kg while in the previous week its price was Rs32 per kg.

The good quality apple is available at Rs60 per kg as against previous week price of Rs45. The prices of banana have touched Rs36 per dozen instead of its previous week price of Rs24 per dozen.

Similarly, vendors and shopkeepers have enhanced the prices of all fruits and vegetables by Rs4 to Rs5 per kg due to maximum sale of these commodities in Ramazan.

Women shoppers have complained that shopkeepers have enhanced the prices on their own with the connivance of some officials of the market committee and local administration.

While shopkeepers claim that they have been left with no option but to sell consumer goods at higher rates after the purchase of these items at maximum prices from hoarders and black-marketeers.

However, they have also blamed the local administration for their negligence in taking action against profiteers. They claim that, after a hue and cry from the public, some raids would be conducted on small shopkeepers and they would be booked for selling kitchen articles at higher rates.

They say that the situation would remain unchanged until the big fish are taken to task.