Lahore:
Rising prices of perishable foods across Punjab have triggered frustration as consumers continue to pay well over officially fixed rates for basic raw materials despite the formation of new price control mechanisms.
This week, the prices of essential vegetables and poultry products remained significantly over the state sanctioned rates in local markets. The sustained violation of official price lists questions the applicability of the newly created mechanisms.
In poultry markets, discrepancies remained between official rates and charged prices sharp. The official speed of live chicken was reduced by RS15, which brought it to RS374-388 per day. Kg, but consumers still reported that they paid between up to RS480 per year. Kg. Similarly, chicken meat was officially priced for RS562 per day. Kg, but sold to RS570-640, while boned chicken reached as high as RS1.200.
Vegetables also showed alarming price holes. A-Class Soft-Hud potatoes were fixed for RS80-85, but sold to RS140-150 per. Kg. The onion prices officially stood at RS50-55 per year. Kg of quality quality, yet they reached the RS100 on the market. Tomatoes were set to RS82-90 per day. Kg, but prices rose to RS150.
Garlic and ginger were among the most overpriced, with garlic varieties that retail to the RS400 per day. Kg against official rates on RS210-260. Ginger was sold for RS600-700 per day. Kg, which far exceeded the fixed rates of RS400-460.
Other vegetables such as cucumber (RS200/kg), brinjal (RS150), Bitter Gourd (RS220) and Ladyfinger (RS240), also steep markings. Spinach, pumpkin, zucchini, lemon and arum followed a similar pattern that exceeded official prices by RS30-100 per day. Kg.
Fruits were no exception. Apples, officially priced to RS145-265 per Kg, sold for as much as RS350. Banana prices experienced a jump on the RS50-90 over the fixed rates depending on class, while Guava and Papaya either exceeded the boundaries or were not available. Despite minor adjustments in official prices, grapes and mango were sold at significantly inflated rates, with some varieties reaching the RS500 per day. Kg.
Even in -house consumers found basic fruits such as melon, dates and peaches insurmountable. Dates were officially priced to RS460-490 per Kg, but seen in markets for rates as high as RS2,000.
