LAHORE, Sept 23: The prices of 33 essential items registered a decrease this Ramazan compared to last year, according to a report submitted to District Coordination Officer Sajjad Ahmad Bhutta on Tuesday.

The fall in prices was witnessed in spite of the fact the subsidy given on tomatoes, potatoes and onions last year had been withdrawn, claimed the report prepared by special magistrates and officials of the Lahore Market Committee that has no mention of the prices of the vegetables and fruits in the open market and their availability at makeshift markets set up by the City District Government of Lahore (CGDL) to provide these items to Lahorites at subsidised prices.

For the first time, long queues were seen outside stalls selling onions and potatoes while vehicles carrying flour in every such makeshift facility drew crowds as usual for the first 10 days or so of Ramazan.

Engaging CDGL officials in flour supply matter gave vendors at the Ramazan bazaars a free hand to charge at their will and they sold B-grade fruits and vegetables at the price of A-grade. There was no difference in the prices of most vegetables and fruits as compared to nearby markets and shops while most of the time chicken meat was costlier there than the open market.

Based on wholesale prices fixed by the CGDL, the report claimed that onions were sold for Rs24 per kilogramme (kg) on Ramazan 1 last year but were available for Rs22 per kg this time; tomatoes price were Rs30 then and now Rs26; garlic (China) prices were Rs35 then and now Rs30; garlic (local) prices were Rs40 then and now Rs19; brinjal prices were Rs16 then and now Rs14; cauliflower prices were Rs40 then and now Rs36; cabbage prices were Rs32 then and now Rs30; biter gourd prices were Rs35 then and now Rs34 per.

The prices of fruits also registered a decrease.