Residents criticize lack of control on prices

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): As Eid-ul-Adha draws near, residents of western Herat province have started visiting markets to purchase goods they need to celebrate the religious festival.
Although markets are not as vibrant as they were in previous years, some residents of the province criticize the lack of control over commodity prices in the province ahead of Eid-ul-Adha.
Haji Abdul Rauf, a resident of Shahrstan area, told Pajhwok Afghan News that every year, the prices of dried fruits were dramatically increased ahead of Eid because there was no check on them by relevant institutions.
He asked the municipality of Herat to fully control the prices of dried fruits and other necessary goods.
He said: “With the arrival of Eidul Adha, every seller demands the price according to his will and sells fruits to people at a high price and the municipality is not aware of this.”
Sediqullah, another resident, also said fruits prices were intentionally increased during Eid days and the government should pay serious attention to this phenomenon.
According to him, the economic situation of the people has deteriorated in recent years and people cannot afford inflation.
Speaking to Pajhwok, Abdul Azim, a fruit seller in Chaharsoye of Herat city, said that fruit sales would increase these days in the previous years, but this year their sales had decreased. He hoped the government would create employment opportunities to boost people’s economy.
Nasir Armal, a spokesman for the Herat municipality, disputed people’s views in this regard and said up to five teams of the administration were tasked with controlling the prices.
Armal said everyone violating the municipality’s price lists would be dealt with legally.