JACOBABAD, Sept 26: Prices of fruits, flour, pulses, ghee and sugar have gone beyond the reach of common man during Ramzan. The government announced reduction of Rs150 per 40kg bag of flour but implementation is yet to be seen.

The cost of flour ranges from Rs640 to Rs680 per 40kg which the poor section of the society cannot afford.

Some businessmen of the city told Dawn they too, were not happy with the price hike while dealers and hoarders are responsible for creating artificial shortage to gain windfall.

At weekly bazaars substandard items are available with no price cut while those available with hawkers and vendor are of too low a standard. Poor people consume it as they have not other choice.About 80 per cent of the population of Jacobabad are poor, and 15 per cent middle class, and the remaining affluent.

When contacted, Incharge Utility Stores, Abdul Malik said floor and ghee stocks had been sold out while new stock will come soon.