MANSEHRA/LAKKI MARWAT: Consumers complain that vegetable prices have almost doubled in markets of Mansehra as traders openly violate the official price list.

The district price and control committee led by the deputy commissioner sets fruit and vegetable prices daily.

However, vendors and shopkeepers have been receiving nearly double the prices determined by the committee. The committee fixed the price of potatoes at Rs120 per kilogramme, but shopkeepers sold it at Rs180 per kg.

Garlic is being sold at Rs700 per kg instead of Rs650 per kg, okra at Rs200 per kg instead of Rs160 per kg, and prices of other vegetables have also increased by Rs50 to Rs80 per kg.

Lakki price review body rejects traders’ demand to increase rates of food items

“None of the shopkeepers or vendors follows the price list. I paid Rs240 per kg for tomatoes while the committee set the price at Rs160 per kg,” Azhar Shah, a buyer, said.

He asked as to who would ensure the government’s writ as traders consistently sold fruits and vegetables at prices much higher than those fixed by the district administration.

“I understand that vendors blame the disruption of freight transport on the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf protests in the federal capital, but this has become a routine, and we are constantly burdened by self-created inflation,” Mr Shah said.

Buyers urged the district administration to ensure the prices set by the committee were enforced in letter and spirit, and contraveners were taken to justice under relevant laws.

“Though vegetable prices have been high for the last couple of weeks, they surged significantly on Monday as trucks and pick-up vehicles carrying tomatoes and other agricultural products could not reach their destinations owing to traffic suspension at main arteries,” a local fruit and vegetable vendor claimed.

In Lakki Marwat, the district price review committee has rejected traders’ demand to increase rates of pulses, meat, milk and spices, saying that after reduction in prices of oil commodities there is no justification to enhance rates of essential food items.

The committee met at the District Headquarters Complex, Tajazai, on Monday with deputy commissioner Zeeshan Abdullah in the chair.

Additional deputy commissioner Sikandar Khan, additional assistant commissioners Gohar Ali Khan, Azmat Ali Khan and Mohammad Arif, district food controller Khan Zaman, representatives of traders and consumers’ bodies and tehsil municipal officers were in attendance.

Ignoring the requests of traders’ representatives, the committee kept the prices of various items unchanged.

The deputy commissioner took serious notice of reports regarding slaughtering of animals outside the slaughterhouses, and asked the relevant authorities to make such places functional in Lakki city and other towns of the district.

“It must be ensured that animals are slaughtered in the slaughterhouses in the presence of veterinary experts,” he maintained.

He asked the price magistrates to carry out joint inspection visits of bazaars and markets with the livestock and food authority experts and keep a check on prices and quality of milk, spices and other food items.

Mr Abdullah also asked traders to improve hygiene at their outlets, keep food items covered and avoid indulging in illegal acts of profiteering and hoarding.

He said his administration would not tolerate artificial price hike and the traders involved in violation of the official price list would face stern action.

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2024