SWABI: Prices of kitchen items, especially vegetables and fruits, have been increased manifold in Ramazan, and the consumers have demanded action against the profiteers.

Tomato, which is produced locally, usually sells at Rs30 per kilogram, but it’s selling at Rs60 per kg during Ramazan. Price of bhindi has jumped from Rs40 to Rs60 per kg. Rates of chili, pumpkin, onion, garlic, cabbage, potato, ginger, and other items have also registered an increase of Rs10 to Rs20 per kg with the start of Ramazan.

Likewise, the price of chicken has registered Rs30 per kg increase as before Ramazan it was sold at Rs150 per kg but now its prices has gone up to Rs190 per kg. Rate of bananas has also been increased from Rs150 to Rs180 per dozen.

Different varieties of apple are being sold at Rs150, Rs200, Rs250 and Rs300 per kg, respectively.

“I have never seen apples selling at Rs300 per kg in my life,” said Azan Khan of Right Bank Colony, Tarbela Dam.

The trades have also increased prices of mangoes and dates on their own free will.

The consumers said traders adopted different tactics to fleece them. They said traders took the plea that they had to increase the prices as they got the items at increased rates.

“When we get fruits at high prices how could we sell them at low rates,” said a fruit seller in district headquarters.

However, consumers said the traders used to increase on their own the prices of eatables and fruits in Ramazan.

People said though the tehsil municipal administration issued price list on daily basis, it didn’t ensure its implementation. “Whenever food inspectors plan to pay surprise visit to markets some black sheep in TMA does inform the traders in advance, as a result shopkeepers shut their outlets to avoid raids,” Liaqat Ali of Shewa city said. He demanded that such elements in TMA should be taken to task as they were hand in glove with the profiteers.

When contacted a relevant official told Dawn that they were regularly monitoring the implementation of the price list. The official asked the citizens to approach price magistrates and food controllers if they witnessed any violation of price list.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2015

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