FAISALABAD, Nov 6: The prices of flour, ghee and sugar have jumped manifold during the week ending Saturday. A 20-kilogram flour bag which was available in the open market from Rs240 to Rs250 against the prescribed prices of Rs233 was now being sold at Rs260. Shop-keepers in streets who were selling flour at Rs12 per kg, is now selling the commodity from Rs14 to Rs15 per kg.

Similarly, sugar, which was available in the market at Rs22 per kg against the fixed price of Rs21, is now being sold at Rs25 per kg. Ghee, which was being sold at Rs60 to Rs61 per kg, is now available in the market at Rs65 per kg.

The poor were seen running from pillar to post to get the commodities at subsidized rates from the special shops and Ramazan bazaars set up by the government in the city. But their efforts end in smoke as long queues were seen at the sale points.

Some old people at the Clock Tower intersection told this correspondent that they had been visiting the bazaar for the last four days for getting flour and ghee at 'control rates' but to no avail.

When contacted, a district government spokesman said a vigorous campaign was being launched by the special judicial magistrates and teams of the district administration had been conducting raids for keeping the prices of consumer goods under control. Fines had been imposed on thousands of shopkeepers while scores of them had been sent to jail for violating the government instructions and selling products at high rates, he added.