LAHORE, Oct 5: There has been a marked increase in the prices of commodities in the retail market during the past one week. Retailers have raised the prices of almost all items of daily use in general and the items usually used for fasting in particular in anticipation of Ramazan without any corresponding increase in the wholesale prices.
Prices of potatoes, gram flour, fine, tomatoes, brinjals, spinach, sugar, curd and fruit have gone up in particular. Potatoes used for preparation of ‘samosa’ were the most sought after commodity at Ravi Road vegetable market on Wednesday. The entire stock of 1,200 bags has reportedly been sold in a few hours.
Quality potatoes were sold for Rs20 per kg in the wholesale market and the retailers were selling inferior quality stuff for Rs24 per kg and quality stuff for Rs28 per kg and even more. Quality onions and brinjals were sold for Rs14 and Rs16 per kg in the wholesale market but were not available for less than Rs20 per kg in the retail market. The spinach sold for a maximum of Rs7 per kg in the wholesale market was not available for less than Rs16 per kg in retail. Tomatoes sold for a maximum of Rs20 in the wholesale market were sold for a minimum of Rs24 per kg in retail.
Sugar price was increased from Rs2,500 to Rs2,600 per 100kg bag last week but the retailers were selling it for Rs28 to Rs30 per kg. Red chilli powder price remained stable at Rs4,750 per 100kg bag during the past one week but the retailers were selling it for Rs60 per kg. The minimum price of 16kg ghee canister was increased from Rs835 to Rs850 but the maximum price decreased from Rs960 to Rs940. However, retailers were selling ghee for a minimum of Rs60 per kg.
Profiteering in the sale of fruit has been much higher as compared to other commodities because of being considered a luxury by the majority of the population. Fruit prices are already high and are expected to become prohibitive for the poor during the holy month. Dates are being sold for Rs55 per kg in the wholesale market and a minimum of Rs60 per kg in the retail market. Apples, being sold for Rs17 to 50 per kg in the wholesale market, are being sold for a minimum of Rs40 per kg in the retail market. Bananas are available for Rs14 to 30 per dozen in the wholesale market but retailers are demanding a minimum Rs20 per dozen from the consumers. Melons, available for Rs17 to Rs20 in the wholesale market are being sold for Rs20 to Rs28 per kg in retail.
Model shops: The Lahore Market Committee has decided to open model shops in five Ramazan bazaars for selling vegetables and gram flour at fixed prices.
Market committee secretary Shahid Hamid said the model shops would be set up in Begumkot, Ghaziabad, Dogaij, Karim Park and Rasulpura Ramazan bazaars for selling potatoes, onions, garlic, tomatoes and ginger at cheaper prices compared to the retail market.
SMOKY VEHICLES: Punjab Transport Department special squad has impounded 96 vehicles and imposed a fine of Rs1,287,700 on 2,394 drivers during a campaign against smoky vehicles.
District Regional Transport Authority secretary Arshad Zahid said the squad had prosecuted the drivers of 45 buses, 825 minibuses, 32 delivery vans and 1,452 rickshaws and cabs during the campaign launched to check environment pollution.
He said the government had also taken notice of overcharging by the public transport operators, and directed the squads to take action against them.