District administration has failed in controlling the prices of edibles during the holy month of Ramzan despite heavy claims. The common man is badly affected due to the high price of vegetables, fruits and other items of daily use in Sialkot.
In most of the city bazaars and commercial markets apples and dates are being sold at Rs 80 per kg, potato Rs 30 per kg, onion Rs 30 per kg, tomato Rs 40 per kg while chicken Rs 135 per kg, mutton Rs 280 per kg and beef Rs 175 per kg as a result of which the miseries of a common man are multiplying day by day in the district. The shopkeepers are fleecing the consumers with both hands but there is no one to check the price hike in the district. The consumers had also complained that sub-standard articles of daily use are being sold in Sasta Ramzan bazaars established in different areas of the city.
The district administration has given free hands to the shopkeepers to earn maximum profit during the holy month of Ramzan. No body is daring to visit commercial markets and bazaars to check the prices and quality of articles of daily use in Sialkot.
The consumers have appealed to the Prime Minister and President Pervez Musharraf to take stern action against the officers who have failed to fulfil their responsibility in keeping check on the increasing prices.
The district administration they said is needed complete overhauling for the larger interest of the masses and over-stayed officers should be transferred immediately. They also appealed that a special team should be constituted for ascertaining the reasons of overstaying of several officers in Sialkot.