LAHORE: The city district administration and the market committee have failed to control prices of vegetables and fruits in open markets, as the vendors continue to overcharge customers by flouting the official rate lists on a daily basis.

The situation is alarming in localities adjacent to posh areas where lower-middle class people are forced to purchase vegetables, fruits and essential commodities at higher rates.

However, the prices in all Ramazan/Model Bazaars seem under control, as the vendors are charging even less than the rates mentioned in lists, Dawn has learnt.

“The potato price ranges between Rs70 and 80 per kg. Last week, I visited Ramazan bazaar in Mian Plaza (Johar Town), the price was Rs55 per kg as mentioned in the official list. But when I requested, he sold three kilo potato for Rs150 (Rs50 per kg),” says a shopper in an open market of Johar Town while talking to Dawn on Saturday.

“Here (in open market), the prices seem nearly 30 per cent more than Ramazan bazaars,” he deplored, requesting the officials concerned to also focus on open markets.

It merits mentioning that as many as 51 model bazaars are operational in Punjab. These include 36 set up in the existing model bazaars with 10 in Lahore. Similarly, 15 districts have no model bazaars. Thus Ramazan bazaars have been set up there in tents or other temporary infrastructure. The localities where 10 model bazaars/Ramzan bazaars are operational in Lahore include Thokar Niaz Beg, Johar Town, China Scheme, Chuhng, Harbanspura, Raiwind, Sabzazaar, Sher Shah Colony, Township and Wahdat Colony.

Criticising the administration, another shopper in Gulberg said traders in the open market are charging at will. “A couple of days back, I went to a vendor in an open market (main market Gulberg). He quoted Rs300 per kg for green apple. After an argument, the vendor agreed to give me apples for Rs280 per kg. Before this, on last Sunday, I had purchased the same for Rs200 per kg in a Ramazan bazaar,” he said.

“It is huge price difference,” he wondered, demanding that the government launch a mega operation in open markets.

According to lists, the onion (Tajikistan) price is Rs140 per kg, followed by the onion (local) as Rs205, tomato (Rs90), garlic (local) Rs260, garlic (china) Rs605, ginger (Thailand) Rs565, cucumber (Rs33), okra (Rs280) and orange (lemo / Rs265). But none of the vendors are following these prices and charging 30pc more.

“It seems we have been left at the mercy of vendors in open markets as they are charging at will,” a shopper in Township said. “The open markets must be regulated like Ramazan/model bazaars,” he said.

When contacted, Lahore Market Committee Secretary Shehzad Cheema termed the job to regularly monitor open markets a tough one keeping in view the decreasing number of price control magistrates.

“Presently we have only 62 officers having powers of price control magistrates. They have been tasked with checking prices in a city of over 12 million people where as many as 100,000 shops are operative. The number of moving vendors (push carts) is also in thousands. How can such a meagre number of magistrates able to control prices in open markets,” he said.

“Previously the number of such magistrates was 100 or so that later reduced to 62 due to transfer of officials and non-transfer of magisterial powers to new officers,” he added.

Mr Cheema was of the view that the only way forward to control prices in open markets is appointment of regular and dedicated magistrates. “But despite all odds, it doesn’t mean we are not working, as we continue to arrest vendors and impose fines on them for flouting price lists,” he said.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2024