KARACHI, July 19: As most people throng the markets just a day before the start of Ramazan, retailers have already increased the rates of all essential commodities while ignoring the official price list despite the fact that the official prices as compared to the last fortnight rates have been fixed on the higher side.

Interestingly, the retailers have displayed the official rate list, issued by Karachi Commissioner for the current fortnight, at their shops but they fleece the consumers on the grounds that the government has not ensured the supply of goods at the official wholesale rates.

Thousands of retailers in the city, particularly in residential areas, overcharge the consumers without fear of any legal action.

The overcharging by the retailers and wholesalers indicates that a large number of them are either not members of the various groups that negotiate prices with government officials or they do it with the connivance of the authorities concerned.

Bakers and confectioners have already increased the prices while the local administration is holding a meeting with their representatives to bring the rates down. Almost a month ago, the price of one potato samosa was raised by Rs1 to Rs2, followed by an increase between Rs5 and Rs10 in the prices of Basin Pakoras per kilo apparently in an attempt to keep their official prices on a higher side.

While the government has been trying to announce a price cut in beef, mutton and loose milk, it may not prove beneficial for the consumers as meat and milk traders had already raised the prices.

A random market survey ahead of Ramazan reveals that good quality Basin sells between Rs120 and Rs130 a kilo though its official rate is Rs108 a kilo for the current fortnight. The medium quality rate is fixed at Rs93 a kilo but it sells between Rs100 and Rs110 a kilo.

The official retail rate gram pulse has been increased from Rs98 to Rs101 a kilo for this fortnight, yet the retailers charge between Rs110 and Rs120 for a kilo of gram pulse. Its wholesale rate has been fixed at Rs98.

Similarly, black gram (Kala Channa) official rate is fixed at Rs96, while consumers are charged between Rs105 and Rs120 per kilo.

Sugar is the only item which is currently selling at the controlled rate of Rs53 a kilo.

Retailers demand between Rs80 and Rs120 for a kilo of red Masoor despite the fact that its official rate has been fixed at Rs66 a kilo. The official rate of various varieties of Maash ranges between Rs78 and Rs88 per kg, but in retail markets it is sold at Rs110 and Rs140 per kg.

The official rate of the best quality Arhar is Rs135 per kg but consumers are charged between Rs130 and Rs160. Moong varieties sells at Rs120 and Rs140 against its official rates of Rs91 and Rs109.

Like the past practice, the official list carries the rate of cooking oil/ghee without the mention of brands. It means that there is no relief for consumers who buy branded oil and ghee, while those buying unbranded oil and ghee are also overcharged.

Similarly, there is no mention of various varieties of powder and tetra milk in the price list being produced by leading manufacturers.

However, these items usually do not carry any company’s price tag.

Interestingly, the list issued by the commissioner mentions the prices of fine and chakki wheat flour at Rs34 and Rs36, respectively, but 10-kilo flour bags are available in the market between Rs 330 to Rs 340 and the medium quality flour produced by millers is sold for Rs32 and Rs33 a kilo.