LAHORE – Vegetable and fruit vendors at Sunday Bazaars have adopted a technical way of fleecing customers by selling smaller quantities of commodities, Pakistan Today has learnt.
The prices of a majority of vegetables remained stable while some decreased. Although the City District Government Lahore (CDGL) fined a number of vendors for overcharging and weight tempering but it was not enough and overcharging continued. Visits of Lahore District Coordination Officer (DCO) Ahad Cheema remained useless, as overcharging continued.
Customers said that although vendors follow the price list but if they sell products in kilograms, they charge extra amounts on less quantity. The price of garlic was Rs 190 per kilogramme but if customers buy 250 grams then they were charged Rs 50. Similarly, the price of ginger was Rs 116 per kilogramme but for half kilogramme, consumers had to pay Rs 60.
“This is also overcharging and the CDGL is not taking action on it,” customer Muhammad Ilyas said adding that this kind of overcharging is done every week. Another customer Farooq Ahmed said that he bought strawberry for Rs 30 per 250 grams, whereas, its price was Rs 106 per kilogramme. “It is technical overcharging, which is adopted by a majority of vendors and goes unchecked every week,” he lamented.
Vendors said that they were given rates of per kilogramme and when there was less quantity then their margins decreases and they had to increase prices. “We don’t get any margin in less quantity, therefore, we have to charge extra,” a vendor said, seeking anonymity. The Lahore DCO visited various Sunday Bazaars and inspected the quality of commodities. Around 11 vendors were fined Rs 9,000 for overcharging and poor quality of fruits and vegetables.
Senior Administration Officer Ameen Akbar Chopra along with the Lahore labour district officer checked the weights of shopkeepers at Johar Town bazaar and fined 12 vendors for tempering weights. Similarly, four shopkeepers were fined at Model Town bazaar.
