LOWER DIR/MOHMAND/ABBOTTABAD: The residents of Adenzai in Lower Dir on Wednesday complained that Ramazan bazaar in Chakdara was short of essential commodities.
They said that people were reluctant to buy daily use items from utility store because of condition of producing a copy of Computerised National Identity Card for each item.
They told journalists that prices of daily use items were increased in Ramazan. They said the administration had set up a Ramazan bazaar but it was short of edibles.
They demanded of the government to restore the old procedure of quota of subsidised flour as the residents of Asbanr, Khanpur, Ouch, Kotigram, Shahabad, Khairabad, Tazagram, Badwan and Khadagzai could not visit Chakdara for buying flour.
Govt asked to take action against profiteers
They said that tomato was being sold at Rs220 per kilogram, ladyfinger at Rs270, peas at Rs150, pumpkin at Rs120, beef at Rs600, garlic at Rs350 and apple was sold at Rs250 per kilogram while the price of orange was Rs350 per dozen.
In Mohmand, a sharp increase in prices of essential items including fruits, vegetables and meat has been witnessed after start of Ramazan.
The prices of daily use items particularly fruits and vegetables have gone up by 30 per cent to 40 per cent in different localities. People have demanded of the authorities to take action against profiteers.
They said that price of tomato was Rs200 per kilogram, potato Rs50, pumpkin Rs120, ladyfinger Rs200, onion Rs80, meat Rs600, bitter gourd Rs150, sugar Rs90, ghee Rs440, and black tea was sold at Rs980 per kilogram.
Similarly, watermelon is being sold at Rs50 per kilogram, cucumber Rs100, apple Rs280 per kilogram while the price of orange is Rs200 per dozen and that of banana is Rs120 per dozen.
Deputy Commissioner Arifullah Awan told Dawn that Ramazan bazaars were set up to provide food items to people at subsidised rates. He said administration was taking all possible steps to provide maximum relief to people during Ramazan.
In Abbottabad, people said that administration failed to check prices of essential food items despite formation of at least 30 price fixation committees by deputy commissioner for Ramazan.
They said that prices of vegetables and fruits were increased manifold on the first day of Ramazan.
They said that meat sellers were at their liberty and charging customers according to their own rates of meat and mutton, which were being sold at Rs750 to Rs1,400 per kilogram.
They alleged that rates of milk and yogurt were also increased from Rs120 to Rs140 per kilogram and Rs140 to Rs180 per kilogram, respectively.
Published in Dawn, April 7th, 2022