Government has failed to control the ghee and edible oil prices as the ghee manufacturers are still fleecing the consumers in the name of higher international prices of palm oil. A survey conducted by Business Recorder revealed that the government announcement to reduce the ghee prices is eyewash and ghee and edible oils are being still sold at the previous prices.
Interestingly, new official price of ghee was not observed in any market. In the capital, price of higher quality ghee brands ranges between Rs 112 per kilogram to Rs 135 per kilogram despite the reduction in palm oil prices in international market. The reduction in ghee prices has been made only on three products including Packwan, Fauji and Habib. But manufacturers have not reduced so far the prices of the other brands that include Meezan Ghee, Kisan Ghee, Golden Sun Oil, Sunny Ghee, Kashmir Ghee, Tullo Ghee, Talilo Pride Oil, Dalda Cooking Oil, Dalda Ghee, Planta Oil, Sufi Ghee.
Retailers reveal to the Business Recorder that ghee and edible oil manufacturers are not honouring the commitment with the government to reduce 3-5 percent price. They said that the price was brought down on the lower quality brand of ghee but there was no relief on the higher quality ghee brand in the market.
The people were expecting the reduction in the price followed by reduction in palm oil prices in the international market but they were not given such relief. The consumers, the most affected, have severely criticised the role of government that had totally failed to maintain check and balance on the prices of ghee and edible oil. They regretted that palm oil prices have declined to a reasonable level but no impact of reduced palm oil prices has been passed to the consumers.