LAHORE, Nov 28: People were thrown at the mercy of profiteers during Eidul Fitr, who charged whatever they liked in the absence of any government control. People had no choice but to pay extra for everything they bought, knowing there was nobody to protect them.
The few who tried to resist the shopkeepers had to endure curt and harsh replies.
The only government functionaries visible during Eid were policemen, but they too did not interfere in the unprecedented plunder and left people at the mercy of profiteers.
Those selling bread displayed photocopies of an unauthorized declaration suggesting that prices of the commodity had gone up from Rs2 to Rs3 because of the increase in the support price of wheat. The overcharging tandoorwala would not budge to the argument that the increase would be effective from the next crop that was yet to be sown.
Questioning the legality or the source of the announcement would lead to outbursts of misbehaviour even with children and women.
Halwa poori, a traditional breakfast item of Lahore, was sold at prices higher than those before Ramazan. There was an increase of Rs2 to 10, which was attributed to the so-called higher prices of the raw material.
Mutton was sold for Rs170 to Rs180 per kilogram without let or hindrance. The per kilo rate of chicken was Rs90 to Rs95 and those questioning the rate were asked to purchase it from somewhere else.
Tomatoes were sold at Rs150 per kilo, onions at Rs30 and potatoes at Rs25.
A bottle of aerated soft drink was sold at Rs10, as against the official rate of Rs9. Its price in the Lahore Zoo and other recreational places ranged from Rs11 to Rs 15.
The people who visited the dead at scores of Lahore graveyards also found things extraordinarily expensive. A garland was sold even at Rs20. The prices of candles and incense too were doubled.
The grave-diggers who clean the graves and sprinkle water on them ruled the graveyards along with hordes of beggars. Those paying less were made to feel embarrassed.
Rickshawalas too took advantage of the festival by charging extra even for short-distance journeys. The fare was determined by the drivers arbitrarily.