LAHORE: Although sugar prices have started to decrease, the commodity’s by-products are still being sold at exorbitant rates and the provincial government seems least bothered about the issue. The producers of beverages, juices, biscuits, jams, jelly, candies, cakes and other confectionaries had increased prices owing to the high price of sugar. Although the rate at which the commodity is being sold is decreasing, there is still no respite for the people.
Cost of production: In September, the price of sugar stood at Rs 65 to 68 per kilogramme when it started increasing and had touched Rs 120 per kg by November. Then, the industries relying on sugar increased the prices of their products by at least 30 percent, saying that they had no option as expensive sugar meant greater cost of production. However, now when sugar prices have come down to Rs 72-75 per kg and the commodity is easily available in the market, the industries depending on sugar have not decreased the prices of their products.
According to consumers, it had become routine practice in the country that the companies increase prices of their products owing to higher cost of production. But even when the prices of raw materials decrease, the consumers did not get any reprieve.
In the past, they continued, oil and ghee prices increased owing to higher prices of palm and canola oils in the international market, but the prices in the local market remained high even when the commodities’ prices decreased in the international market. The consumers went on to lament that the government instead of safeguarding the interests of the consumers remained silent.
“The prices of juices increased last month when the price of sugar was touching Rs 100 per kg. But now sugar is available for Rs 75 per kg and the juice manufacturers are still not ready to lower the prices of their product,” said a private school teacher, Imran Ahmed, adding that the government should check the illegal profits being made by these companies and provide relief to the people.
Another consumer, Tariq Mehmood, said the provincial government should check the prices of these products. “If the provincial government can check the prices of sugar at retail level, then why can’t it keep check on the prices of the products being produced by industries relying on sugar?” he questioned.
Open market: A banker, Sadeed Malhi, said although it was an open market and every company had the right to independently fix the price of its product, these corporate giants should still keep in mind the consumers. “Our forums regarding consumer rights are very weak and it provides an opportunity to the producers to form a cartel and fleece people,” he said, adding that it was the government’s responsibility to create awareness about consumers’ rights and establish such forums where the consumers’ problems are addressed properly.
