SWABI: Tomato price has jumped to Rs450 per kilogramme from just Rs100 per kg a week ago with the district administration not bothered to take action against the profiteers, consumers complained on Saturday.

They said the priceof chicken meat had also jumped to Rs600 per kg against the official rate of Rs510 per kg.

They said tomato was sold at Rs100 per kg a week ago, but its price jumped to Rs180 per kg two days before Eidul Fitr and to Rs250 per kg the next day. On Saturday, tomato was being sold at Rs450 per kg in the vegetable market in the district headquarters, and its rate was more than that in far-off areas of Swabi, the consumers complained.

They said tomato rate increased around Eid because it was a vital ingredient in preparing various special dishes on the festive occasion.

Surprisingly, the district administration has fixed the tomato rate at Rs140 and Rs150 per kg, respectively, for the Thatta and Tangi varieties, and from Rs180 to Rs200 per kg for Bella region variety.

However, traders have disregarded the official price list and are overcharging consumers without any fear.

“It is an artificial increase made by traders just to exploit the people’s need for tomatoes at Eid,” Fayaz Ali of Swabi city said. The consumers said the district administration had failed to take action against the profiteers.

Mohammad Jamil of Maneri Bala village said the district administration remained dormant, giving traders free hand to fleece consumers. Prices of fruits have also witnessed an increase, he complained.

Officials said that prices of tomato and other vegetables fluctuated depending upon the supply and demand situation.

ACCIDENTS: Three persons were injured when a motorcycle and a rickshaw collided at Topi Safdar Chowk on Saturday, rescue officials said.

They said an emergency rescue team provided first aid to all the injured and shifted them to Bacha Khan Teaching Hospital, Shahmansoor. The injured were identified as Abdul Majeed, 20, Zubair Khan, and Ismail Khan. They belong to Baja village.

Meanwhile, a man was injured when a car fell into a ditch on the Topi Bypass Road. The injured man was identified as Zeeshan Khan, 18, hailing from Mangal Chai area of Gadoon Amazai. He was taken to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital.

Published in Dawn, April 14th, 2024