RAWALPINDI: Traders in Rawalpindi have rejected the price list of edibles issued by the district administration saying they cannot sell edible items at lower rates.

On Saturday, the districtadministration fixed theprice of white gram at Rs300 per kg, Basin Rs200 per kg, Moong Daal at Rs300 per kg, Masoor at Rs370 per kg, Mash at Rs375 per kg, rice Basmati at Rs260 per kg, milk at Rs140 per litre, yogurt at Rs150 per kg, Roti at Rs10 and Naan at Rs15.

Riceprice was fixed at Rs260 per kg but it is being sold at Rs300 per kg and chickpeas fixed at Rs300 per kg is available at Rs350 per kg. All pulses are being sold Rs30 to Rs50 per kg higher than the fixedprices.

Rawalpindi Retailers Association President Saleem Pervaiz Butt told Dawn that it was difficult for shopkeepers to buy pulses and other edibles at high rates and sell them at Rs50 to Rs70 kg lower than the wholesale market.

He said the traders rejected the rate list issued by the district administration and would not sell pulses and other edibles at official rates. He said prices at wholesale market was higher but the local administration was forcing shopkeepers to sell them at lower rates.

He said fines were being imposed on shopkeepers and “we have no other option but to give a strike call. Punjab Industry Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal has been contacted and he has called a meeting on Monday with the deputy commissioners of all the 36 districts to discuss the issue. After this meeting, we will give a strike call,” he said.

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2022