Substandard fruits and vegetables impregnating Sunday Bazaars

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Although the monitoring departments of the district government were performing their duties diligently at Sunday Bazaars, the ever existing problem of the sale of substandard and B-grade commodities at A-grade rates persisted and vendors continued openly selling stale vegetables and fruit items.
Talking to Pakistan Today, the visitors of the Sunday Bazaars established under the district coordination officer and TMAs concerned in different localities said that the Sunday Bazaar facility required continuous attention from the district government and other departments concerned. Otherwise, they added, the hectic exercise was nothing more than a bunch of profiteers and sub-standard commodity sellers taking advantage of the locals.
The prices of vegetables and fruit items witnessed continued escalating trends owing to which most buyers kept themselves away from purchasing these commodities.
The new price of the potato was fixed at Rs 35 to 42 per kg and that of its sugar-free substitute at Rs 26 to 27 with an increase of Rs 2 per kg but sold at Rs 40 per kg.
The onion’s price was fixed at Rs 34 to 39 per kg with a reduction of Rs 12 per kg as locally produced onion supplies improved.
Tomato prices were fixed at Rs 54 to 56 per kg but sold at Rs 100 per kg.
Garlic (China ) was fixed at Rs 75 to 80 per kg and garlic (desi) at Rs 78 to 85 per kg and sold at Rs 120 per kg.
Ginger (China) was fixed at Rs 145 to 150 per kg with an increase of Rs 10 per kg and ginger (Burma) was fixed at Rs 70 to 75 per kg and sold at Rs 150 per kg.
Spinach’s price was increased by Rs 11 per kg and fixed at Rs 20 to 25 per kg and sold at Rs 30 per kg.
Cabbage was increased by Rs 10 per kg and fixed at Rs 50 to 60 per kg while cauliflower reached at Rs 80 to 90 per kg and was sold at Rs 100 per kg.
Bitergourd rates rose by 100 percent and reached Rs 90 to 100 per kg from Rs 45 to 50 per kg.
The rate of tinday increased by Rs 30 per kg reached at Rs 70 to 80 per kg and was sold at Rs 100 per kg.
The rate of peas was Rs 95 to 100 per kg but the commodity was not available there and capsicum was sold at Rs 80 to 100 per kg against its official price of Rs 65 to 70 per kg.
Green chilies were fixed at Rs 40 to 50 per kg and sold at Rs 80 per kg and lemons at Rs 45 to 50 per kg.
Rates of different varieties of apples were fixed at Rs 40 to 80 per kg while B-grade apples were sold at Rs 60 to 80 per kg in the makeshift bazaars while, in the open market, good quality apples were sold at Rs 70 to 80 per kg.
Banana (A-grade) was fixed at Rs 45 to 50 per dozen and sold at Rs 60 per dozen.
Peach (special) was fixed at Rs 90 to 100 per kg and B-grade at Rs 55 to 60 per kg but sold at Rs 100 per kg.
Mangoes of different varieties were fixed at Rs 35 to 90 per kg while lower quality mangoes were sold between Rs 70 and 90 per kg.
Grapes (sundarkhani) were fixed at Rs 135 to 150 per kg but sold at Rs 160 per kg while grapes (gola) at Rs 80 to 85 per kg but sold at Rs 100 per kg.