Pakistan: Oh dear, relief nowhere near! Overcharged vegetables being served cold at Sunday bazaars

The looting spree of vendors and profiteers continued in the Sunday Bazaars established in different localities of the provincial capital as the slackness of the district government officials provided them an ample opportunity to go on with their money minting drive by selling fruits and vegetables at high rates. Majority of vegetables were not available while heavy overcharging was observed. The customers claimed that the high prices of vegetables and fruits at Sunday Bazaar is the absence of the writ of district government and price control magistrates who have badly failed to hinder over charging. Another aspect of the issue is that it is the start of season of most of winter vegetables and their prices are still highest. Major surge in the rate of potato has been witnessed from the start of the season and it reached Rs 100 per kilogram. This is the highest rate of potato during the last decade. Moreover, it was sold at Rs 120 per kg, 25 percent higher price than the official rate. The prices of potato store were fixed as Rs 35 to 40 per kg while it was sold at Rs 80 per kg. Onion rate was fixed at Rs 48 to 54 per kg and onion of lower quality was sold at Rs 70 to 80 per kg. Tomato was not available in the makeshift markets while in open market it was sold at Rs 160 per kg against its official rate of Rs 100 to 110 per kg. Garlic Desi price was fixed at Rs 90 to 100 while it was sold at Rs 120 per kg. Ginger China, rate was fixed at Rs 170 to 180 per kg. Spinach price was fixed at Rs 10 to 15 per kg but sold at Rs 20 per kg. Pea rate was fixed at Rs 85 to 90 per kg but it was not available in the all makeshift markets while in open market it was sold at Rs 140 per kg. Green chilli was not sold in the makeshift markets while in the open market it was sold at Rs 100 to 120 per kg against the official rates of Rs 60 to 70 per kg. Lemon price was fixed at Rs 40 to 50 per kg but sold at Rs 80 per kg. Reddish rate was at Rs 8 to 10 per kg but sold at Rs 20 to 30 per kg. Carrot price was fixed at Rs 35 to 40 per kg but sold at Rs 60 to 80 per kg. The prices of different varieties of apple were fixed at Rs 45 to 95 per kg while lower quality apple was sold at Rs 50 to 90 per kg. Banana price was fixed at Rs 30 to 40 per dozen but sold at Rs 50 per dozen. Pomegranate, Kandari A-grade, price was fixed at Rs 120 to 130 per kg and B-grade at Rs 90 to 100 but sold at Rs 120 per kg. Pomegranate, Bedana, rate was fixed at Rs 155 to 160 per kg but sold at Rs 200 per kg. The rates of different varieties of grapes were fixed in the range from Rs 100 to 175 per kg while average price of B-grade grapes was from Rs 120 to 160 per kg.

- See more at: http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/11/17/city/lahore/oh-dear-relief-nowhere-near-overcharged-vegetables-being-served-cold-at-sunday-bazaars/#sthash.4Wv0Pf9m.dpuf