F.P. Report
PESHAWAR: The skyrocketing prices of daily use commodities including fruits, milk, meat and vegetables have irked Rozadars (fast keepers) and expressed anguish over failure of district administration to control price-hike in the provincial capital.
A market survey conducted by this scribe here Thursday revealed that one dozen ‘Banana’ and one kilogram melon are being sold at Rs 120-150 and Rs100-120 in Firdus, Faqirabad and Hastnagri markets whereas one kilogram watermelon is being sold at Rs50, which are beyond purchasing power of middle class.
Similarly, peach is out of reach of common man these days as one kilogram is being sold at Rs35O per KG while date, a favorite commodity during fast, is also out of reached of the common man.
The district administrations, price review committees and special magistrates were specially deputed before Ramadan to monitor and implement standard prices in Peshawar could not control the prices of essential commodities, and that exchange of heated words between consumers and price hikers were almost a routine manner.
The price review committee has decided that food items would be sold out on 3 to 12 rupees less than actual prices but prices of fruits and vegetables are also practically out of reach for people, which is a great question mark on the performance of district administration.
Despite being an agriculture country, one kilogram’s potato is being sold at Rs50 while price of one kilogram’s tomato is Rs50-60 that is quite high.
The milk sellers have also increased price of the commodity as one kilogram milk is being sold at Rs 120 to Rs140 in open market, registering an increase of Rs20-30 per kilogram during Ramadan.
The high price of mutton and meat have irked residents as these commodities was being sold at Rs 850 to 900 per kilogram and Rs450 to Rs500 per KG in local markets, registering Rs30-50pc increase respectively.
The prices of almost all essential commodities including ghee, meat, cooking oil, flour, onion, chicken, and fruits have witnessed a significant increase besides high prices of lemon are making consumers unhappy.
There is no respite in chicken prices as majority of dealers are over charging consumers as high as Rs350-380 per KG these days.
The consumers and people have requested Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and other senior officials of district administration to make a close check on price of daily commodities and take strict action against profiteers and hoarders imperative for provision of all essential items to Rozadars at affordable rate.
