RAMAZAN is now drawing to a close. When it began, it led to increase in the prices of all kinds of fruits, and as days went on, they kept on increasing.

The government never takes action against those who try to create an artificial shortage of fruits in the market, leading to inflation.

Very few people have been buying fruits since Ramazan began. The majority looked the other way because banana which used to cost Rs60 to 80 a dozen would cost Rs150 to 200.

The same goes for mango which nowadays costs Rs100 to 120 but earlier would cost Rs50 to 60.

The sharp rise in the prices of apples, grapes, peaches and guava made fruits beyond the reach of the majority of the people.

However, there are those among us who buy any variety of fruits to make fruit chaat (mix), costing them, more or less, Rs1,000.

I wonder what the government is doing. All the above-mentioned fruits are grown in Pakistan but their prices show as if they’re imported from European countries.

It is the responsibility of the government to keep a check on the prices of goods and make sure that no monopolies or cartels are formed to weaken the purchasing power of the people.

M. ABU BAKER
Lahore