SWABI: Amid a general increase in prices of essential food items a rush of people was witnessed in different bazaars buying commodities in bulk on Saturday, mainly to get concession and avoid intense summer heat during Ramazan.

It was observed by this correspondent at 9.30am that all the butchers in Topi tehsil bazaar had sold out their whole meat.

“I reached Topi bazaar early in the morning and bought 20kg of mutton which is sufficient for the entire Ramazan,” said Ahmad Jan, a Wapda employee from Tarbela Dam area. People said that in Ramazan beef become a rare commodity in the market while the consumers remained at the mercy of butchers.

Compared with last Ramazan prices of commodities have registered a marked increase. The price of 5kg tin of ghee has jumped from Rs800 to Rs1,000, lady finger from Rs35 to Rs50 per kg, 20kg wheat flour bag from Rs700 to Rs840, cucumber from Rs20 to Rs40 per kg and brinjal from Rs25 to Rs40 per kg. The consumers said that prices of almost every food item had registered increase.

Consumers call for strict check on prices

Chicken price has also increased from Rs140 per kg to Rs180 per kg during the last four days. A chicken retailer in Topi bazaar said that there was a severe shortage of chicken in the local markets. He said that the demand for chicken and its price could increase in days ahead.

Besan (gram flour) is available at Rs75 per kg, while a litre of open milk costs Rs75 to Rs90.

“The problem is not the prices, but the quality of items such as pulses and fruits. There is need for ensuring provision of quality food items,” said a rickshaw mechanic, Zahirul Islam.

At present, good quality apples are available at Rs200 per kg, apricot Rs150, while per dozen bananas could be bought at Rs220.

However, consumers have demanded that the retailers should not be allowed to increase prices of fruits and vegetables further.

“We hope that the online system would be helpful to keep profiteers under check,” said a social worker, Raj Wali Khan.

The residents have also complained about shortage of essential commodities at the utility stores outlets. “The utility stores are always short of ghee, sugar, dates and other such items largely used in Ramazan,” said Zubir Ahmad of Maneri Bala.

When contacted, an official of the district administration said that they had warned all the retailers to display price lists and avoid overcharging. He said that they would take action against the violators.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2014