In spite of tall claims made by City District Government Lahore (CDGL) and the frequent visits of Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) leaders to Ramadan bazaars to keep prices of edibles under control, profiteers continue to mint money by increasing prices even at these public facility sites.
During a succinct survey of different localities’ Ramadan Bazaars on Sunday, Pakistan Today observed that the prices had started rising well before Eid.
Though CDGL price magistrates were taking action against profiteers at a small scale, profiteers at Ramadan Bazaars and at the open market were selling still vegetables and fruits at much higher rates.
The rates of fruits and vegetables were increased before the start of Ramadan. However, they were stabilised when the government came into action in the first week of Ramadan. During second and third weeks prices remained almost stable but with a week left before Eid, prices recommenced surging upwards as the government ignored the pricing issue.
In special Ramadan bazaars a number of items went missing while others were sold at higher than official rates in open markets. The artificial shortage of tomatoes was a major issue from the start of Ramadan which remains unsolved till today. Tomatoes were not available in any temporary Ramadan bazaars of the city on the last Sunday of the month.
The sales of the fruits and vegetables declined in mid-Ramadan but picked up in the last week. Following an increase in sales, the rates of almost items were increased.
This week the new price of potatoes was fixed at Rs 32 to 34 per kg, sugar free potatoes were at Rs 22 to 24 and stored potatoes were set to Rs 14 to 15 per kg while sold at Rs 24 to 34 per kg at different locations.
The price of onions was rose by Rs 5 per kg and was fixed at Rs 38 to 42 per kg while lower quality onions were sold at Rs 42 per kg.
Tomato prices were increased by Rs 2 per kg and fixed at Rs 67 to 72 per kg but sold in the open market for Rs 100 to 120 per kg.
Garlic (desi) was also increased by Rs 5 per kg and fixed at Rs 80 to 90 per kg but sold at Rs 100 per kg while garlic (China) was at Rs 80 to 85 per kg but not available.
Ginger (China) was fixed at Rs 135 to 140 per kg but sold at Rs 160 per kg.
Spinach price gained Rs 4 to 6 per kg and was fixed at Rs 22 to 26 per kg but sold at Rs 30 per kg while brinjal was fixed at Rs 15 to 20 per kg. Cucumber (desi) was fixed at Rs 30 to 35 per kg but was not available. Tinday were fixed at Rs 25 to 30 per kg but sold at Rs 40 per kg.
Biter gourd prices increased by Rs 3 per kg and were fixed at Rs 30 to 38 per kg but sold at Rs 40 per kg.
Pumpkins were fixed at Rs 15 to 22 per kg but sold at Rs 25 per kg.
Luffa rose by Rs 10 per kg and reached Rs 30 to 35 per kg but was sold at Rs 40 per kg. Ladyfinger prices were at Rs 32 to 40 per kg but not available while Arum was stable at Rs 30 to 35 per kg and sold at Rs 40 per kg. Capsicum prices rose by Rs 10 per kg and were fixed at Rs 60 to 70 per kg but were sold at Rs 80 to 100 per kg while green chilli prices increased by Rs 25 per kg and were fixed at Rs 70 to 80 per kg and sold at Rs 100 per kg.
Lemon desi price was also increased by Rs 35 per kg and fixed at Rs 80 to 100 per kg.
Date prices ranged between Rs 60 to 120 per kg while lower quality was sold at Rs 130 per kg.
Banana A- quality was fixed at Rs 55 to 60 per dozen and B-quality at Rs 35 to 50 per dozen but sold at Rs 60 per dozen. Peach (special) was fixed at Rs 90 to 105 per kg and peach B-grade at Rs 55 to 60 per kg while sold at Rs 90 to 100 per kg.
Apricot A-grade was fixed at Rs 115 to 125 per kg with an increase of Rs 5 per kg but not available in the makeshift markets and sold in the open market for Rs 200 per kg.
Mangoes of different variety were fixed at Rs 45 to 90 per kg and the average price of B-quality mangoes was Rs 60 to 95 per kg.
Pomegranate (desi) was fixed at Rs 80 to 90 per kg but sold at Rs 100 per kg. Grapes (sunderkhani) were fixed at Rs 160 to 190 per kg with an increase of Rs 10 per kg while sold at Rs 200 to 240 per kg, and grapes (gola) at Rs 90 to 100 per kg but not available in the makeshift markets.
Meanwhile, price control magistrates remained active and conducted massive raids on different shops of the city to check the quality and rates of edible items. They arrested five shopkeepers involved in overcharging and recovered fines amounting Rs 104,200. Lahore DCO Naseem Sadiq stated that the magistrates should remain in market and if any shopkeeper tried to loot citizens and found involved in overcharging, strict action should be taken against him.