The traders and wholesalers passed on the inflationary impact of the budget 2013-14 on to general public as prices of food items increased, revealed a survey conducted by Business Recorder. The newly elected government presented its first budget in the National Assembly on Wednesday where the increase in General Sales Tax (GST) by one percent to 17 percent has been proposed.
The survey noted that price of sugar increased from Rs 5,100 per bag to Rs 5,300 per bag ie registering an increase of Rs 200 per bag or Rs 2 per kg; price of ghee and cooking oil increased by Rs 5 per kg/litre; milk products witnessed a phenomenal rise in price as GST on milk was increased from one percent to two percent with Morinaga milk price (for children) raised from Rs 520 to Rs 550 per pack. The survey also noted an increase of Rs 5 to Rs 10 on cold drinks of different brands. In the coming days prices may rise further, traders told Business Recorder, as price of electricity is expected to rise. People from different walks of life expressed disappointment over the recent increase in price of essentials in the budget.