A slight increase in prices of vegetable, chicken, pulses, sugar, fruits and other daily use items was witnessed in retail market, according to survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Sunday. Price of one-kilogram chicken have increased at Rs 147 from Rs 140 per kg in retail market during the preceding week, while a dozen of egg is being sold at Rs 100 against the price of Rs 90 in the preceding week in retail markets, the survey noticed.
Similarly, a one-kilogram sugar is being sold at Rs 55 per kilogram, which was sold at Rs 50 per kg in last week, showing an increase of Rs 5per kg, while a marginal increase in prices of spices, and food grains was also registered. The survey observed that a manifold increase in prices of vegetable in retail market. Tomato is being sold at Rs 80-90 per kilogram, which was selling at Rs 40 per kg during previous week. Similarly, retail price of onion has also gone up from Rs 20 to Rs 40 per kilogram.
Price of garlic is still high side as available at Rs 200 and Rs 240 per kilogram. A one-kilogram ginger priced at Rs 160, which was selling at Rs 100 per kg in retail market, showing at Rs 60 per kg in the previous week, according to the survey. Likewise, the survey witnessed that red potato is being sold at Rs 70 per kilogram while white colour potato is priced at Rs 50 per kilogram. Swat peas are available at Rs 160 per kg, capsicum is being sold at Rs 80 per kilogram. Cucumber remains available at Rs 60 per kilogram, calabash at Rs 50 per kilogram, arvi at Rs 50 per kilogram.
Likewise, ladyfinger is being sold at Rs 60 per kilogram. Cauliflower remains high side as available at Rs 70 per kilogram. Due to increasing demand in hot and humid weather, one-kilogram lemon is being sold at Rs 160 against the previous week rate of Rs 100 per kg, showing an increase of Rs 60 per kilogram in retail market. According to survey, the prices of food grains have remained high side, as rates of some pulses items increased from Rs 10 to 20 per kilogram. A one-kilogram Dal Channa is being sold at Rs 120/kg, which was selling at Rs 140 per kg during the preceding week in retail market, while price of one-kilogram big white kabali channa has increased at Rs 190 against Rs 170/kg, the survey ascertained.
Likewise, it was noticed that high-quality Dal masoor is priced at Rs 93/kg, showing a reduction of Rs 10 in retail market. Costly Dal mash is being sold at Rs 120 per kilogram, which was selling at Rs 140 during preceding week in retail market. According to survey, good quality rice is being at Rs 120 per kg while low-quality rice is priced between Rs 110 and Rs 100 per kg in retail market. Price of gram flour (baisen) is being sold at Rs 130 per kilogram in retail market as compared to Rs 140/kg a few days back. Dal chilka green is priced at Rs 110. Red bean is being sold at Rs 100 and Rs 110 per kg, while lobiya remains available at Rs 140 per kg, while price of totta rice has increased at Rs 70 per kg from Rs 60 per kg. Moonge is being sold at Rs 110 per kg.
The survey witnessed that prices of cooking oil/ghee with different quality and range remained high both in wholesale and retail markets as usual with no significant increase or change as compared to preceding week. In the provincial capital Peshawar, the survey noticed that prices of fresh milk remained sky-high, as vendors and shopkeepers continued to fleece the buyers by selling fresh milk at Rs 100 and Rs 120 per litre, against the official fixed price of Rs 70 and Rs 80 per litre, respectively.
As far as fruits are concerned, grapes are being sold at Rs 100 and Rs 120 per kilogram, pomegranate at Rs 100 and Rs 150 per kg, banana at Rs 60 and 70 per dozen, mango at Rs 120 and Rs 150 per kilogram, guava at Rs 150 per kg. Fruits is stable food, which are costly, and beyond the purchasing power of the low and middle class amid price-hike. A one-kilogram mango is being sold at Rs 120-100, small-size golden apple is being available at Rs 80 per kg while big-size sold at Rs 150-200 per kg. Grapes are available at Rs 160 per kg, peach at Rs 80-100 per kg. Guava is being sold at Rs 120 and Rs 100 per kg, muskmelon being sold at Rs 60-80 per kg in retail market.
The survey said that butchers are openly defying the official price of meat, as they were selling at Rs 300-340 and Rs 360 per kilogram, against the official fixed rate of Rs 250 per kg. Whereas, the survey noticed that prices of mutton also steady in retail market, being sold at Rs 700-750 per kg. Similarly, the chemical-mix milk is being sold at Rs 80 per kg while farm milk is being sold at Rs 100-120 per kg. Yogurt is being available at Rs 80 and Rs 100 per kg.
The consumers have complained that vendors were fleecing them in what they inferred, to recover the amount they have to pay to administration in terms of fine for violating official list of prices. They viewed the local administration was helpless to take action against profiteers in the provincial capital.
According to an senior official of the district administration, the authorities have taken action against the profiteers, adulterators and hoarders in various localities of the Peshawar. He asked the people to register complaints with administration against violation of government-approved fixed prices list.