The uncertainty and fear could be witnessed amidst the deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi that grocers/traders have denied setting up special Bachat Bazar or tented stalls even in the holy month of Ramazan. A group of grocers/retailers, who were asked by Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) to set up temporary bazaar in the city to facilitate people during the Ramazan, have turned down the offer saying that they could not take further risk of losses.
KMC's Enterprise and Investment Promotion (E&IP) department had proposed them to set up temporary shops/stalls in evening/nights of the month, Business Recorder learnt on Wednesday. They, according to, Shoaib Waqar, Senior Director, E&IP , have demanded security from KMC to organize the poor friendly bazaars across the metropolis (proposed to be opened during night hours of Ramazan).
For the first time, the grocers were reluctant to organize retail outlets despite proving government lands/space by KMC. However, he claimed, KMC would arrange temporary outlets/stalls during day where some selected food items would be available for buyers at concession/government rates. The programme is being finalised soon as meetings with the concerned retailers have been held.
Meanwhile, he informed that a Dubai based local company was planned to set up outlets in five districts where, selected products of the company specially milk, meat and others would be available for sale at less than the company's market prices. Price of packed milk of the company would be reduced by Rs 10/kg while freeze/packed meat is planned to be sold at government fixed rates. Besides, the private firm has also offered special concession, Ramazan Package to consumers on its products. The proposal is currently subject to approval of Administrator Karachi.
In reply to a query, the director said that E&IP, which was previously looking into matters, related to price controlling system in the city, is not authorized to check commodity prices as the responsibility under SLGO 1979 has been shifted to Bureau of Supply department of the provincial government.
Soon after restoration of 1979 Act and re-establishment of KMC the Bureau was the concerned authority to control commodity prices. His department is currently only looking into the affairs of Bachat Bazaars like collection of revenue against use of government land. SLGO 1979 was reinstated after September 2011 along with The Commissionerate System and KMC did not have the authority to control or fix the prices of consumer items.
Presently, Central District is issuing the price lists while Deputy Commissioners of all districts are checking the price of kitchen items across the city. However, an office-bearer of Karachi Retailers and Grocers Group claimed that the government has not consulted the retailers for any Ramazan related programmes or packages so far. As there is confusion after change in government set ups, where responsibilities are divided into five district administrations, nothing is clear to public and grocers.
It is worth mentioning here that E&IP department had previously arranged over 40 tented stalls in various parts of the city to provide essential commodities at the notified prices of government. At these stalls, fruits, and other general kitchen items were managed available at the fixed rates throughout the holy month.
The locations specified by the department were included, Nipa Chowrangi, Baitul Mukarram Masjid, Kakri Ground, Sakhi Hassan Chowrangi, Khadda Ground, water Pump, Al-Noor, Karimababd, Nagan Chowrangi, 2 Minute Chowrangi, New Karachi No 5, Orangi No 10, Kala Board, Ahsanababd, Gulshan-e-Maymar, KDA Flats Surjani Town, Qayoomababd Chowrangi, Crossing, Korangi No 2 and 5, Shah Faisal No 2 and 3 etc. The government previously had also arranged flour at almost 284 stalls in the city at the provincial government's fixed rate of Rs 10 per kilogram.