LAHORE, July 22: Though joint efforts by the City District Government Lahore and Towns and Market Committees’ officials have resulted in a ‘slight difference’ between Ramazan bazaar and open market prices, consumers term it a ‘futile government exercise’ aimed at giving a considerable relief to the masses.

They say had the Punjab government controlled a massive increase in commodities prices before Ramazan, the situation would have been far better. “I am really finding a very slight difference in prices, as the things being offered here are available in open market almost at same rates,” Mrs Shahid, a resident of Model Town, commented on Sunday while talking to Dawn at Model Town Link Road Ramazan Bazaar.

“If you see the prices, the mango and peach are available in open market at Rs80 and Rs120 per kg, respectively. But here the two fruits are being sold for Rs75 and Rs115 and this makes almost no difference,” she said, adding that it was better for her to buy the items from the nearby shop instead of travelling by car to Ramazan bazaar.

She urged the government to end the role of middleman and ensure provision of commodities in bazaars at cheaper rates if it seriously wanted to give relief to people during the holy month.

Shakil Ahmad, another shopper, said actually incompetence and bad governance by the rulers always troubled the people of Pakistan. “Before Ramazan, shopkeepers, hoarders and profiteers raised prices of commodities abnormally. But no-one took action against them.”

He said though the government had managed to bring about some price differential through Ramazan bazaars, one should know well about the rates of essential items before Ramazan. He said the government was in dire need of devising an effective strategy to control prices and protect consumers’ rights not during Ramazan alone.

Tasleem, another customer, complained of inadequate arrangements relating to lighting and ventilation in Ramazan bazaar.

“Though I have never seen a bazaar set up under a marquee in Model Town, the administration should have made good arrangements regarding lights and ventilation etc in such a hot weather.”

Meanwhile, the Lahore commissioner and district coordination officer continued paying visits to various Ramazan bazaars on the second day. During visit to a bazaar, the commissioner took notice of the complaints about selling of meat filled with water.

He directed the DCO and other officials concerned to solve the problems.

The DCO also visited Islampura Bazaar and directed the vendors to sell good quality fruits and vegetables. “I will not compromise on the quality and price. You must honour the holy month by facilitating the people more and more,” he warned the vendors as well as officials.

On the other hand, the price control magistrates on Sunday inspected scores of shops in the city and imposed heavy fine on those involved in overcharging. According to officials, the magistrates imposed fines on a dozen shopkeepers for violating the market committees’ price lists. Moreover, the Sunday’s rain disrupted arrangements made by the officials in Ramazan bazaars, causing inconvenience to shoppers as well as vendors.