Fruit, vegetable prices rising in Multan

The shopkeepers in Multan significantly increased the prices of fruit and vegetables as compared to the rates in the previous week in South Punjab. Grapes are being sold at Rs 800/kg, peach, apricot, plum is available at Rs 200 to 240, lemon at Rs 120 to 146/kg. Similarly, the prices of apple, grapes, banana, mango, melon and other fruit also rose.
The prices of most of the vegetables including potato, onion, ginger, ladyfinger, cauliflower, black pepper, lemon and cabbage registered an increase. The shoppers complained: "It is yearly routine that with the advent of Ramazan, the shopkeepers increase the prices of fruit and vegetables which is unwarranted and against the spirit of Islam." They were of the view that the stall holders also further increased prices during the first week of Ramazan as well.
Abdul Muneeb, a resident of Hassan Parwana Colony said the price-hike has made it impossible for the common man to run his kitchen. However, shopkeepers were of the view that they have nothing to do with price- hike and contended the prices increased in the wholesale market. According to market rates, dates are available at Rs 300 to Rs 360 per kilogram, while chicken is being sold at around Rs 200 to Rs 230 a kilogram. Baisan is regularly used in Ramazan for making Pakoras for Iftar, so its price nowadays is around Rs 100 a kilogram. Yogurt is being sold at Rs 90 per kg while a litre of milk costs Rs 75 per litre, Javed Shad a customer at Samijabad said.
As many as 35 fair shops and four Sasta bazaars set up in the city administration of Bosan Shah Rukn-i-Alam, Shershah, Mumtazabad, Shujabad and Jalalpur Pirwala with the purpose of providing edible and food items to the citizens at cheaper rates. Administration claimed that the rates of food items at fair shops and sasta bazaars were lower than the rates of weekly bazaars and markets. The administration has notified rate lists to all the stallholders and shopkeepers for display. The magistrates have also started checking prices in the Sasta Ramazan Bazaars and markets on daily basis.
Meanwhile, District Co-ordination Officer (DCO) Multan Zahid Saleem Gondal has directed the officials to take action against the hoarders and profiteers during the holy month of Ramazan. He said that citizens can register their complaints against those who are creating artificial shortage of commodities to gain more profit.
The DCO, in a statement issued here, said that the hoarders would be dealt with an iron hand and the people found in creating artificial shortage during this month, would have to face strict action. He asked the traders to set up stalls in Ramazan Bazaars. He said flour is being provided on subsidised rates.