Summary Hoarders and profiteers create artificial price hike to get illegal profit during Ramazan.
LAHORE (Web Desk) - As the holy month of Ramazan approaches, the prices vegetables, fruits and other basic commodities have been increased phenomenally across the country.
Every year before and during the holy month, hoarders and profiteers create artificial price hike to get illegal profit, creating immense problems for the already inflation-hit masses.
It was observed that prices of onions, potatoes, tomatoes, chillies and other vegetables had increased phenomenally while wholesalers and retailers were not following the government-approved rates.
In Lahore, gram flour was selling at Rs100 to 110 per kilogram with a sudden increase of Rs10, dates at Rs130 to 160 with an increased of Rs30 per kg and sugar by Rs2 per kilogram.
On the other hand, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has directed the concerned authorities to ensure effective implementation of Ramazan package to benefit the masses in real sense.
Presiding over a meeting in Lahore today, the Chief Minister said under the package a subsidy of Rs3.5 billion has been given for the provision of flour at lesser rates.
He said no compromise will be made on the standard of fruit, vegetables and items of daily use in Ramazan bazaars.
The Chief Minister said a digital system has been evolved to monitor the standard of goods and their prices.
He directed to take stern action against the hoarders and profiteers and those traders who cause artificial price-hike.
In Karachi, it was found that white chickpea was selling at Rs120 to Rs130 per kilogram, yellow lentils at Rs140 to Rs160 per kg and split chickpea at Rs110 per kg with an increase of Rs20.
In Peshawar, prices of daily-use items were increased phenomenally. Lemon price has soared to Rs160 per kilogram with an increase of Rs60 while eggs are being sold at Rs110 per dozen with an increase of Rs10. Dates are bing sold at Rs180 with an increase of Rs30 per kg.
In Quetta, lemon was selling at Rs200 with an increase of Rs80 this month whereas gram flour price has soared to Rs110 per kg with an increase of Rs20.
The prices of fruits have also increased across the country.
