FAISALABAD, Oct 19: Efforts made by the government and the agencies concerned proved futile when shopkeepers flouted instructions for the sale of consumer goods and meat at fixed rates.

The district coordination officer had fixed the prices of all consumer goods for Ramazan and claimed to have monitored the shopkeepers through a network of judicial magistrates and other officials. But the shopkeepers and vendors are selling all kitchen items, fruits and vegetables at 20 per cent higher rates.

Union councils and the Tehsil Municipal Administration which are bound under the Punjab Local Government Ordinance, 2001, to check prices and quality of consumer goods in their respective areas are playing the role of a silent spectator.

A number of consumers goods are being sold at higher rates at government-run Utility and Co-op stores.

The administration had fixed the price of beef at Rs70 per kilo but the butchers are selling the same for Rs100 per kg. Similarly, the mutton is being sold for Rs220 to Rs240 against the fixed price of Rs150.

The shopkeepers in congested areas are selling a 20kg flour bag for Rs245 while the Co-op and Utility Stores are selling the same for Rs235 against the fixed price of Rs190. Ghee is being sold for Rs65 per kg against the fixed price of Rs61; sugar for Rs23 to Rs24 per kg instead of Rs20; gram-powder for Rs28 to Rs30 per kg instead of Rs23; and Basmati-rice for Rs36 per kg against the fixed price of Rs30.

Potatoes are being sold for Rs36 per kg despite the fact that the same were available for Rs22 per kg before the advent of Ramazan.

Vendors and shopkeepers are selling vegetables at 15 to 25 per cent higher rates as compared to the price list issued by the market committee.

A shopkeeper in Ghulam Mohammadabad said the officials of the market committee and the district administration were issuing price lists without taking the traders and shopkeepers into confidence.

SHEIKHUPURA: The prices of eatable articles have also increased in Sheikhupura district. During a survey of the local vegetable and other markets on Monday, it was found that the prices of vegetables had almost doubled.