ISLAMABAD, April 6: Prices of 37 essential commodities soared by around 20 per cent across the country during the last two-and-half years, an investigation by Dawn has revealed.

Of the total 51 widely-used daily items, the average prices of 37 surged by 20 per cent, 12 items showed a downward trend by 6.78 per cent, while prices of two items remained unchanged during the period under review, bringing the consumers under heavy pressure.

And of 37 commodities, the average prices of four commodities increased by over 50 per cent and of six items increased by over 20 per cent during the same period.

The price spiral during the last 30 months have drastically disturbed the consumer’s monthly budget particularly the salaried class.

Official figures available with Dawn revealed that average gas charges surged to Rs259.26 per 100 cm in March, 2002 from Rs225.43 in October 1999, depicting an increase of over 15 per cent; electricity charges increased to Rs2.25 per unit from Rs1.72, an increase of 31 per cent; petrol soared to Rs31.49 per litre from Rs26.34, registering an increase 20 per cent; kerosene increased to Rs17.48 per litre from Rs12.53, a rise of 39.47 per cent and telephone calls went up to Rs2.31 per call from Rs2.10, showing an increase of 10 per cent.

In pulses, average price of gram pulse was Rs35.72 per kg in March, 2002 against Rs23.61 in October 1999, depicting an increase of 51 per cent; price of mash pulse increased by 20 per cent to Rs43.36 per kg from Rs36.13; masoor was available at Rs38.19 per kg against Rs36.27, an increase of 5.3pc.

An average price of sugar rose to Rs22.25 per kg in March 2002 from Rs21.06 in October 1999, an increase of 5.63pc, while price of gur rose to Rs20.73 per kg from Rs19.53, a rise of 6.14pc.

Wheat price during the last 30 months increased by 10.45pc to Rs8.83 per kg in March 2002 from Rs7.99 in October 1999, while price of wheat flour rose to Rs10.08 per kg from Rs8.9 during the same period, an increase of 13.29 per cent.

Vegetable ghee (tin) was available at Rs174.31 per 2.5kg in March this year from Rs166 in October 1999, registering an increase of 5 per cent, while price of cooking oil surged to Rs176.06 per 2.5 litre from Rs169, an increase of 4.18 per cent.

The average price of tea (packet) during the same period rose to Rs57 per 250gm from Rs48, an upward trend of 18.75 per cent; price of prepared tea went up to Rs4.20 per cup from Rs3.69, depicting an increase of 13.82 per cent.

Mutton was available at Rs114.90 per kg in March 2002 from Rs109.06 in October 1999, an increase of 5.36 per cent; milk at Rs17.93 per ltr from Rs17.92, an increase of 0.03 per cent and milk powdered was at Rs116 per 500 gm from Rs110, an increase of 5.45 per cent.

Prices of those major items, which decreased during the last two-and-half years included: rice-Irri price of which decreased by 7.43 per cent, salt by 5.41 per cent and chicken (farm) by 10 per cent.