KARACHI, June 13: The vendors in Sunday Bazaars, in connivance with officials of the Controller General (Prices) of city government continue to fleece the public in sheer violation of the fixed price lists for fruits and vegetables.

Vendors continue to charge three times more than the fixed rates in almost all Sunday Bazaars of the city in general, and of Gulshan-e-Iqbal in particular, where more than two dozens officials, reportedly sit in the organisers camp for nothing else than to only ensure that they get their "share."

Market rates, as per the rate list issued by controller general prices for various items, and the rates these were being sold at are: black berry (Falsa) Rs28 per kg, bachat bazaar rate Rs26 per kg, being sold at Rs40 per kg; water-melon Rs10 against Rs8 (market rate) and Rs7 (bachat bazaar rate); apricot at Rs40 against Rs30 per kg (market rate) and Rs 25 (bachat bazaar rate); Mango Sindhri Rs25 against Rs19 (market rate) and Rs17 (bachat bazaar rate).

However, surprisingly sweet-melon (Garma) was being sold for Rs10 per kg against Rs14 (market rate) and Rs12 (bachat bazaar rate); and same was true for banana, available as per bachat bazaar rate of Rs20 per dozen.

On the vegetable stalls, cauliflower was being sold at Rs20 per kg against Rs15 (market rate) and Rs13 (bachat bazaar rate); cabbage for Rs12 against Rs8.50 (market rate) and Rs7 (bachat bazaar rate); green onion for Rs20 kg against Rs12 (market rate) and Rs11 (bachat bazaar rate).

Most customers, considering bachat bazaars to be cheaper than street vendors, make their weekly purchases there, but there are others who are seen exchanging arguments and even words with vendors.

Consumers have demanded of the city government to strictly enforce prices or stop holding such bazaars. On the other hand, while organisers claim they cancel stalls and blacklist vendors for overcharging, it is, however, not so in practice.

Organisers accompany the complainant and check the price on specific stalls. Naturally, the vendor on seeing the official surely tells the fixed price, after which the complainant can buy as per the vendor's choice, or the official strikes a deal to let you choose the commodity at a slightly higher rate.

Organisers, were also requested by this scribe to show even a single stall where commodities were being sold at fixed prices, but they refused. -APP