KARACHI, May 31: The prices of 22 essential commodities quoted by the Economic Survey 2011-2012 for July-April period do not match with the prices prevailing in the markets.

While taking the price of April 2012, there was a major difference in the price as quoted in the Survey with the market prices. The Survey did not mention about the quality of commodities and even cities or provinces while giving the price trend in essential items.

The Survey quoted the price of mutton at Rs499.9 per kg but its price in Karachi hovers between Rs550-600 per kg while the Survey gave Islamabad’s price at Rs556.9 per kg.

Beef price is quoted at Rs261 per kg while in Islamabad its rate is Rs280 per kg. It is not clear whether it is with or without bones. It is also not known whether the Survey quoted the big cow meat or veal (bachia meat). Big cow meat definitely sells at Rs260 per kg but veil meat with and without bones is selling at Rs300-320 and Rs470-380 per kg respectively in Karachi.

Fresh milk rate is given at Rs60 per litre while consumers are paying Rs75 per litre in Karachi.

Tea pack (without mentioning either loose or in packets) is available at Rs142.1 per kg. Packers have already introduced 190 grams pack months back. Lipton Yellow Label and Tapal Danedar tea pack is available at Rs135 and Rs125.

Vegetable ghee price is quoted at Rs174.2 per kg based on 16 kg tin while in Islamabad it is priced at Rs 206 per kg. In view of 16 kg ghee tin price of Rs2,700 its price comes to Rs168.

In rice, the Survey mentioned Basmati rice and Irri 6 prices at Rs62.1 and Rs46.9 per kg. Basmati is available in various qualities starting from Rs70-140 per kg while the current Irri-6 price is Rs50 per kg. The Survey quoted basmati rate in Islamabad at Rs100.1 per kg.

According to the Survey, gram pulse rate is Rs98.7 per kg but it is selling at Rs110-120 per kg depending on the quality in Karachi and Rs113.8 per kg in Islamabad.

Without mentioning (sabut or chilka), the government gave rate of masoor at Rs100.9 per kg but in the Karachi market it is selling at Rs74-86 per kg while in Islamabad its rate is mentioned at Rs118.1. Mash is selling at Rs98 per kg in Karachi while the Survey’s rate is Rs141.8 per kg and Rs156.9 per kg in Islamabad. Sugar is available at Rs53 per kg in Karachi while official figures gave the rate of Rs55.6 per kg and Rs58.8 per kg.

Red chilly (whole) price is over Rs600 per kg while the Survey gave the rate of Rs308.4 per kg and Rs321.3 per kg in Islamabad. Wheat price has been tagged at Rs26 per kg in Karachi while official rate is quoted at Rs27.4 per kg. Potato is selling at Rs20 per kg while the Survey gave Rs23.5 per kg and Rs35.8 per kg in Islamabad.