RAWALPINDI, Nov 18: The prices of different items at the Sunday bazaars have increased by 45 per cent, adding to the agony of consumers, a survey revealed.

Prices had soared by almost five per cent before the advent of Ramazan, bringing the cumulative effect of the price hike to almost 50 per cent.

The district administration had earlier announced to put a strict check on profiteering and hoarding during the holy month.

In this regard, a 24-hour control room was set up, and the public was asked to contact it at phone No 5770565 in case of any increase in the prices.

However, when this scribe tried to contact the control room regarding the latest price hike, it was discovered that no such centre existed at all.

Similarly, Lever Brothers, a multinational company, had agreed to sell its products at cheap rates in the weekly bazaars under an agreement with the district administration. However, it was astonishing to see that the company had set up small stalls with a handful of items. The complete range of its products was not offered for sale.

Prices of potatoes increased from last week’s Rs84 per 5kg to Rs92, showing an increase of 10 per cent. Onion rates scaled up by 40 per cent, from last week’s Rs40 per 5kg to Rs56. Garlic and ginger prices showed a five and 38 per cent increase. Ginger’s official rate was Rs68 per kg, but it was being sold at Rs72.

The highest increase was noted in the prices of green pepper and brinjal, whose rates increased by 100 percent, compared to those last week.

Tomato prices shot up by 62.5 per cent, from last week’s Rs16 per kg to Rs26. Moreover, its quality was also very pathetic.

Bitter Gourd (Karela) prices increased by 66 per cent; French bean, 25 per cent; green peas, 33 per cent; Shimla Mirch, 23 per cent; Kadu, 50 per cent; Tinda, 33 per cent.

A similar increase was also witnessed in the fruit prices. The rates of different varieties of apple shot up from Re1 to Rs2 per kg over the last week. Dates price rose from last week’s Rs30 per kg to Rs50.

Bananas showed a 20 per cent price hike, and Guavas rate increased by 25 per cent, from Rs10 per kg to Rs16.