Despite tall claims of administration to control food inflation, the rates of eatables are on fire. The prices of vegetables have surged up to almost 100 percent rise for past few days. The rates of tomatoes, potatoes, ladyfinger, spinach, bottle gourds, coriander leaves, bottle bridge and others vegetables have been raised substantially.
According to a survey, prices of tomato presently ranging from Rs 40 to 60 per kilogram, prices of ladyfinger, bottle gourds, bottle bridge and other vegetables were being sold around Rs 40 per kg.
A bundle of coriander leaves, which generally sells at Rs 2, is being sold at Rs 5 to 8. Potatoes, which grow abundantly in the country, are also being sold at Rs 18-24 per kg. Customers complain that poor quality potatoes with sweet taste are being sold at Rs 18 per kg while the good ones are costlier. Potatoes of last crop, stored in cold storage, are also being sold in the vegetable markets of Karachi on inflated rates. Vegetable sellers blame high transportation cost and hot summer season for surge in prices of vegetables.