RAWALPINDI: The district administration failed to ensure the implementation of prices of edible items fixed a few days ago.

Two days ago, the administration had fixed the price of milk at Rs110 per litre and yogurt at Rs140 per kg but milk is available at Rs140 per litre and yogurt at Rs150 per kg in the markets.

The price of mutton was fixed at Rs1,200 per kg and beef at Rs600 per kg but butchers are selling mutton at Rs1,450 per kg and beef at Rs750 per kg.

Rice price was fixed at Rs140 per kg but it is being sold at Rs200 per kg, chickpeas price was fixed at Rs220 per kg but it is selling at Rs250 per kg. All pulses are being sold at Rs30 to Rs50 per kg which is more than the fixed prices.

Residents say administration should not issue price lists if it cannot implement them

However, the district administration did not take any step to end the shortage of vegetable oil and it is available at Rs450 to Rs500 per kg.

The residents of the garrison city urged the administration to stop issuing such price lists before Ramazan when it is unable to implement them.

“In Ramazan, mostly people preferred buying meat but due to its high rate they are unable to afford it,” said Mohammad Nasir, a resident of Chur Chowk.

He said that he was not aware of the official prices of edibles, adding shopkeepers never sold essential commodities at prices fixed by the local administration.

Saleem Raza said it was difficult for the common man to manage their household budget as prices of meat, chicken and vegetables had increased significantly and the Punjab government had turned a blind eye to the issue.

“People’s complaints over higher prices of edibles fall in deaf ears as officials have left the masses at the mercy of profiteers,” said Abdullah Raja, a resident of Arya Mohallah.

He said that meat was being sold at a higher rate but the district administration had failed to take notice of the violation of the official price list.

On the other hand, Deputy Commissioner Tahir Farooq conducted a snap visit to various Ramazan bazaars and reviewed quality and prices of food items.

He visited all stalls and reviewed the rate lists and inquired about the quality and prices of items from the citizens who were busy shopping there.

The deputy commissioner directed the citizens to immediately report to the complaints cell set up in every Ramazan bazaar if the rate list of food items was not displayed prominently by the stallholders.

He also inspected sugar and flour stalls in Ramadan bazaars and said arrangements should be made for cleanliness and action should be taken against stalloholders spreading filth in the bazaars.

He said that all the assistant commissioners should pay surprise visits to the Ramazan bazaars in their areas and keep a close watch on the quality and prices of the food items.

He said that apart from Ramazan bazaars, price magistrates had also been activated in the open markets so that no one got a chance to involve in overcharging.

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2022v