The prices of Ramazan-specific items including fruits, besan, yogurt and dates have witnessed an unprecedented hike, revealed a survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Wednesday. The survey noted that the prices of different fruits including apples, peach, mangoes, grapes, banana, melon, watermelon, apricot, plum and pear have been raised by Rs 40 to Rs 60 per kg just before the Ramazan.
Grapes are available at Rs 280 per kg, mango at Rs 80 per kg, apple at Rs 180-200 per kg, banana at Rs 160 per dozen, apricot at Rs 200 per kg, plum at Rs 120-200 per kg, mellon at Rs 60 per kg and peach at Rs 120 per kg.
Similarly the rates of an entire range of pulses also witnessed an increase in the range of Rs 10-30 per kg. Maash is being sold at Rs 160 per kg against Rs 140 per kg two weeks ago; Moong is being sold at Rs 160 per kg against Rs 130 per kg, Lobia at Rs 130 per kg against Rs 110 per kg, Masoor at Rs 135 per kg against Rs 125 per kg, while white channa price has increased by Rs 30 per kg, which is being sold at Rs 180 per kg against Rs 150 per kg.
The price of sugar has already been raised by 2 to 3 rupees per kg. Dates are available from Rs 200 Rs to Rs 400 per kg, while chicken is being sold at around Rs 360-380 per kg. Besan is regularly used in Ramazan for making Pakora and Samosa for Iftar which is being sold at Rs 130 per kg. Yogurt is being sold at Rs 80 to Rs 90 while milk costs Rs 75-90 per kg. Live chicken is being sold at Rs 215 per kg against Rs 130-140 per kg, while chicken meat is available at Rs 380 per kg against Rs 240 per kg. Beef is being sold at Rs 560 per kg, mouton at Rs 360 per kg and eggs at Rs 72 per dozen.
Tomatoes are being sold at Rs 40 per kg against Rs 30 per kg, onions at Rs 40 per kg against Rs 30 per kg, potatoes at Rs 30 per kg against Rs 24 per kg, ginger at Rs 120 per kg, cauliflower at Rs 60 per kg.
The survey noted that there is no vegetable available below Rs 30 per kg - potatoes, the cheapest vegetable, is being sold at Rs 30 per kg while Shimla Mirch, cauliflower and Tinda are more expensive vegetables being sold at Rs 80 per kg.
The consumers complained that the government has left them at mercy of profiteers who are charging high prices even at Sasta Bazaars set up by the government, adding that these bazaars would only be useful if prices are checked by the administration and stern action is taken against the profiteers.
The price lists issued by the local administration are either not placed in a prominent place by the shopkeepers or simply ignored in the shops as traders are not selling a single item at the administration fixed price.
Asia Zeshan a costumer at a fruit shop talking to Business Recorder said that wholesalers and retailers, particularly of fruits and vegetables, are enjoying a free hand to fleece the consumers ahead of holy month despite all the claims of the relevant authorities.
A wholesale dealer accused the poultry cartel of being active in high poultry prices. They fix poultry rates on daily basis. "We are at their mercy and the district administration is paying no heed to this end," a householder lamented. As a result, the chicken supply has dropped, where as demand for white meat is already up because price of red meat is so high, he added.