RAWALPINDI: The prices of essential food items have increased significantly in the garrison city after the recent surge in petroleum prices.

In the presence of a dozen of special price magistrates, shopkeepers are selling food items at higher prices. The commissioner had recently directed the district administration officials to control the rising prices but his directives fell on deaf ears.

A visit to different markets showed Dal Channa was selling at Rs160 per kg compared to Rs145 per kg as fixed by the administration, Dal Maash at Rs280 per kg against Rs265 per kg, Dal Moong at Rs160 per kg against Rs140 per kg, sugar at Rs110 per kg against Rs90 per kg, best quality rice at Rs200-210 per kg against Rs140 per kg, milk at Rs140 per kg against Rs130 per kg, curd at Rs140 per kg as compared to the official price of Rs130 per kg, mutton at Rs1,400 per kg compared to Rs1,000 per kg while beef at Rs650 per kg against the official price Rs500 per kg and wheat flour at Rs1,300 per bag of 20 kg.

Ironically, the price of Roti is fixed at Rs7 and Naan at Rs10 but Naanbais are selling Roti at Rs10 and Naan at Rs15 and the district administration failed to implement its writ in the markets and bazaars.

District admin fails to ensure availability of essential commodities at officially-fixed rates

“Prices of essential food items have gone up and the city administrations is unable to control it,” said Saleem Ahmed, a visitor to Narankari Bazaar.

He feared that the prices would further increase in coming days as the petroleum prices have been increased. He said the common man was unable to manage their household budgets.

Mohammad Kamran, a visitor to Sabzi Mandi, said the price hike had exposed the government’s claims of a stable economy.

He said flour, vegetables, beef, mutton, chicken and other commodities of daily use were being sold at higher rates. He said the government’s policies were actually aimed at economic murder of the salaried class and the poor.

Saleem Pervaiz, president of Punjab Merchant Association, said shopkeepers purchased wheat flour at Rs1,175 per 20kg bag and how they could sell it at Rs1,200 per bag.

“We purchased sugar at Rs105 per kg from the wholesale market and the government is asking us to sell it at Rs90 per kg. The prices of C-class pulses have been fixed but we are selling better quality pulses as consumers do not buy low quality items,” he said.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Gulzar Hussain Shah reviewed the market situation after taking notice of the price hike.

He said the supply system of food items was being closely monitored to control the prices and action was taken against profiteers after 8,000 complaints were received last week.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ali informed him that during the last one week 128 profiteers were arrested and Rs138,000 fines imposed on them.

He said 55 price magistrates were actively discharging their duties in the district and they have been directed to visit the field and review the prices of food items.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2021