District administration has miserably failed to check the illegal profiteering during the holy month of Ramazan as shopkeepers and stall holders have bent upon loot.
The unbridled price hike artificially made by traders has snatched the purchasing capacity from the middle-class and lower middle-class people, while daily wagers were forced to starvation.
It was learnt during market survey by Business Recorder that the prices of essential commodities are sky rocketing and people are unable to purchase even vegetables, atta and pulses. Prices of vegetables have doubled in this holy month. Potatoes and onions are being sold for Rs 30 per kg while tomato Rs 40 to 50 per kg. Peas are being sold for Rs 80 per kg, while "Palak" and Saag are being sold for Rs 10 per bundle (less than half a kilogram).
The rates of the fruits have increased unimaginary. The rates of apple is from Rs 40 to 80 per kg, banana Rs 40 to 50 per dozen, guava Rs 40 per kg, grapes Rs 70 to 90 per kg, dates Rs 60 to 140 per kg, while very poor quality dates are being sold for Rs 60 per kg.
Meat and beef sellers are also playing their role in illegal profiteering as they set new rates for the product keeping in view the holy month of Ramazan. In spite of government rates of Rs 80 per kg, boneless beef is being sold for Rs 140 per kg, while with bones Rs 120 per kg. Rates from government set for mutton are Rs 180 per kg while it is being sold at Rs 210 to 220 per kg.
"Administration is looking totally indifferent from the public problems and it seems that people were left on mercy of illegal profiteers", said Muhammad Anis, a lower middle class photographer while talking to this scribe.
Mrs Tabassum a schoolteacher said that the prices of essential commodities were doubled at the start of Ramazan. "Life was made difficult for poor people and attitude of the government is giving indications that they want eradication of poor in spite of poverty", she said and added that people were left on mercy of looters and this situation if not checked would left with only option of suicide for people.
People largely have condemned the administration for its indifferent attitude and most of the people have alleged that high officials in district administration are getting huge bribes from traders so that they may let loose a reign of price hike in the city.