RECORDER REPORT

PESHAWAR: Prices of vegetable, pulses, fruits, sugar, and other essential kitchen items have increased in the retail market, according to survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Sunday.

The vendors in provincial capital Peshawar have attributed the recent gusty weather and torrential rains, which had badly hit the all seasonal crops resulting in low supply to the market, to price increase. They said the prices would further increase in coming days as stormy rains are expected in next week.

According to survey, it was witnessed that prices of vegetable and other food commodities have gone up by Rs.20-30 per kilogram. One kilogram tomato is being sold at Rs.60 which was selling at Rs.20 a week ago. Red potato priced at Rs.80 per kilogram, while white colour potato is being sold at Rs.40 per kilogram, against the price of Rs.60 and Rs.30 per kg respectively.

Similarly, ginger is being available at Rs.160 per kilogram, which was selling at Rs.120 during the previous week. Lemon is being sold at Rs.120 per kg against the price of Rs.100 per kg a few days back.

According to survey, onion is being sold at Rs.40 per kilogram, showing an increase of Rs.10 per kg. A one-kilogram garlic is priced at Rs.200 which was selling at Rs.160 per kg a week ago.

The survey also noticed that the prices of other veggies have gone sky-high in retail market. One kilogram peas is being sold at Rs.120 per kilogram, capsicum at Rs.110 per kg, arvi at Rs.100 kg, calabash at Rs.70 per kg and turnip at Rs.50 per kg, the survey observed.

It was witnessed that price of one-kilogram cucumber is Rs.70 while locally produce cucumber is being available at Rs.40 per kilogram. Lady finger is being sold at Rs.80 per kg, while cauliflower remains expensive as it is available at Rs 70 per kilogram, and cabbage at Rs.40 per kg.

The survey witnessed the prices of pulses remain unchanged in retail market during the preceding week as compared to last week. One-kilogram Dal Channa is being sold at Rs.160/kg in retail market, while big white kabali channa being sold at Rs.170/kg, the survey ascertained. Likewise, it was noticed that high-quality Dal masoor is priced at Rs.140/kg. Costly Dal mash is being sold at Rs 220 per kilogram in retail market.

According to survey, good quality rice is being at Rs.120 per kg while low-quality rice is priced between Rs.110-100 per kg in retail market. Price of gram flour (baisen) has risen sharply, as being sold at Rs.160 per kilogram in retail market as compared to Rs.140/kg a few days back. Dal chilka green is priced at Rs.118. Red bean is being sold at Rs.100 and Rs.110 per kg, while lobiya remains available at Rs.140 per kg, and totta rice being sold at Rs.53 per kg. One kilogram sugar has increased to Rs.55 which was selling at Rs.53 per kg during the previous week, the survey noticed.

The survey witnessed that prices of cooking oil/ghee with different quality and range remained same both in wholesale and retail markets as usual with no significant increase or change as compared to preceding week.

Cow meat is being sold at Rs.360 per kilogram, and Rs.320, Rs.300 per kilogram, as authorities concerned failed to take action against the butchers who are openly defying the official price and not even displaying the price list at their shops.

Price of one-kilogram live chicken have decreased from Rs.165 to Rs.160 per kg in retail market, while a dozen of egg is being sold at Rs.100 against the price of Rs.90 in the preceding week in retail markets.

In the provincial capital Peshawar, the survey noticed that price 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 price of Rs.70 and Rs.80 per litre, respectively.

As far as fruits are concerned, grapes are being sold at Rs.180 and Rs.200 per kilogram, pomegranate at Rs.100 and Rs.150 per kg, banana at Rs.70 and Rs.100 per dozen, mango at Rs.100 and Rs.80 per kilogram, guava at Rs.150 per kg and jamnu at Rs.120 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 a senior official of the district administration, the authorities have taken action against the profiteers, adulterators and hoarders in various localities of Peshawar. He asked the people to register complaints with administration against violation of government-approved fixed prices list.