BADIN, Nov 1: The prices of essential items have risen sharply during last six months, making it difficult, for the middle and lower classes to make ends meet.
The alarming increase in the price of items of daily use has inflated the kitchen budgets of consumers, who have been forced to either consume less or reduce their other expenses leading to a deterioration in the quality of their lives.
Many people are compelled by high prices to stop their children from schooling and take jobs even in private institutions to keep their hearths warm. “Others are forced to be content with inferior quality of food items.” says a government clerk.
Traders taking benefit of abolition of powers of the district magistrate after introduction of the district government, since yet no one has magisterial powers to use against the hoarders, and many traders attribute the price hike of costlier imports of pulses and sugar, etc. and consequently repeated upward adjustments of the petroleum prices.
The rates of the vegetables have also increased 20 per cent compared with 6 to 8 months back. However, in contrast to these items fruit prices have remained stable. In fact some fruits prices have come down.
Among other kitchen items, red chili has gone up from Rs60 to Rs90 per kilogramme, sugar is now sold Rs22 per kg, when one month back it was being sold at Rs18, flour (Atta) which now touched Rs12 per kg while it was being sold Rs9 per kg two months back.
Similarly, ghee was being sold Rs45 per kg, when its fixed price Rs43.
In spite of government claims, most shopkeepers do not display the price lists. The ones who do so, charge more than the prices displayed.
The people assert that “the rates fixed by the former district chief of the administration were quite unrealistic”. Middle class housewives often complain about the rising costs of kitchen items as they are finding it difficult to live within the existing means. “We are left with just one alternative i.e. to reduce consumption. Sometimes, I have to cut a sorry figure when our guests ask me or my husband if we have gone vegetarian”, grouses Sakina.
“The worst thing about the whole situation is that the people have to compromise on the needs of their children, sometimes infants, to make do,” says a government employee.
“The case with the people who do not own their houses is worse because they have to set aside a part of their income for rent. Therefore, no one should be surprised when our economic manager inform us that the incident of poverty is on the increase.
He says the worsening economic conditions are responsible for making the people think in terms to stop the education of their children, and engage them for any job, so he could earn and supplement to meet the living expenses.
“How long can one’s love for his dear and near keep with tied hands if he can not provide his family with better quality of life despite working 10 to 11 hours a day? He asked.
OFFICE-BEARERS: Shahnawaz Zargar has been elected unopposed as president for the consequent third year of Badin Jewellers and Sarafa Association of the district while Muhammad Rahimoon, Haji Muhammad Ameen, Hamid Ali have been elected as general secretary treasurer and information secretary, respectively.