Despite official efforts to regulate market prices, consumers were facing fierce over -charging across the city over the past week as suppliers continued to ignore state -issued price lists and did not comply with the mandated sale of live chicken to fixed rates.

The Punjab government had revised the price of live chicken for the first time over two and a half months, reducing it by RS13 per year. Kg and set the official rate between RS384 and RS398 per Kg. However, live chicken was not available for sale in the city.

Instead, sellers only offered chicken meat that charged between the RS590 and RS700 per day. Kg, while boneless chicken were sold at prices ranging from RS900 to RS1.050 per day. Kg, markedly over the approved rates.

The price violations are expanded to essential vegetables and fruits, many of which were sold to double or even tripled the official prices. Potatoes (A-Class), officially Priced for RS45 to RS50 per Kg, was sold for RS80 to RS100.

Lower quality potatoes were also priced much higher on the market than the official rates. Onion (A-class), with a fixed price of RS40 for RS45 per Kg, was sold for RS80 to RS100, while B and C-Class varieties also so inflated rates.

Tomatoes experienced an official reduction of RS20 per year. Kg, which brought the price of a-class tomatoes to RS36 to RS40 per day. Kg.

In the markets, however, they were sold to RS80 to RS90 per year. Kg. Garlic (local), price for RS152 for RS160 per Kg, was available for RS150 for RS250, while the GI variety attached to RS343 to RS360 was sold between RS400 and RS500.

Chinese garlic, officially RS353 for RS370 per Kg, reached the RS500, and the Harani variety, which was set to RS220 for RS230, was sold for up to RS400.

Both Thai and Chinese ginger, attached to RS353 to RS370 per day. Kg after an RS20 reduction, was sold between RS450 and RS500.

Other vegetables experienced similar discrepancies.

Farm cuisine that was attached to RS42 to RS45 per day. Kg, was sold for RS60 to RS100. Brinjal, Official RS47 to RS50 per Kg, was sold to RS80 for RS120. Spinach, with an unchanged official price of RS23 for RS25, was sold to RS50 for RS60.

Capsicum, cauliflower, cabbage and carrots also showed large price holes.