LAHORE: Prices of vegetables have surged to a record high these days while the shopkeepers are allegedly plundering the people by charging almost double the price as compared to the official price list.

The situation is worst in the open market where the price control magistrates have either no control or they seem ‘compromised’, leaving no relief for the people who are already under immense financial stress due to the skyrocketing prices of electricity, gas, eatables and other commodities.

The shopkeepers and vendors in all open markets in almost all localities of the city are charging almost double prices as compared to the official lists issued on a daily basis.

“The price lists are being followed by the vendors in Sunday bazaars alone while all the rest of the markets are flouting the official lists by charging almost double the price,” deplores a shopper in the open market while buying vegetables.

“It seems that shopkeepers in the open market have gone beyond control of the government as all of them are overcharging the customers boldly,” he continued while lashing out at the government.

According to official retail price list, the price of the best grade onion was Rs122 to Rs130 per kg. The good quality tomato sold at Rs115 to Rs125 whereas the price of the best garlic was noted to be Rs390 to 410. The top quality ginger (Thailand and China) was sold at Rs585 to Rs605.The price of brinjal was Rs270 to Rs280, cabbage Rs230 to Rs240, cauliflower Rs190 to Rs200, okra Rs220 to Rs230, turnip Rs170 to Rs175, bitter gourd Rs320 to Rs330 while lemon was sold at the price of Rs445 to Rs465 per kg.

On the other hand, the prices of fruit, pulses, meat and other eatables have also gone beyond the capacity of the people, especially those belonging to poor, lower middle and middle classes.

“You cannot imagine how we are passing these days—perhaps toughest of our life,” says a construction worker while standing at Khokhar Chowk along with others, looking for work. “Yesterday, our night meal consisted of bread, onion and water. We had it in meal as we had no money to bring vegetable and cook it,” he says , requesting the government to take steps for the poor people and control inflation.

Speaking to Dawn, Lahore’s newly appointed Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza says 79 price control magistrates are engaged in controlling prices.

“I have noted what, as you are saying, is going on (overcharging etc) in the open markets. And we will definitely take action soon,” he claimed.

SNGPL: The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd teams disconnected 34 more illegal connections and imposed fine Rs0.67m on account of gas pilferage and other illegalities.

In Lahore, according to a spokesman, nine connections were severed for illegal gas use. The Bahawalpur team disconnected eight connections over the use of compressors while the Faisalabad team disconnected two illegal connections. In Multan, 10 illegal connections were removed while in Sheikhupura, fines amounting to Rs0.42m were imposed in response to gas theft cases.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2024