Massive overcharging on perishable items despite rate cut

LAHORE: Declining trend in the prices of the perishable was recorded in the official rate list this week as the rates of almost all vegetables and fruits were dropped as compared to the previous week. However, the impact of reduced rates was offset due to massive overcharging by the sellers as the district administration failed to check the overcharging.

The price comparison of different perishable on week-on-week basis reflects a sharp decline in the prices but it also increases the ratio of the overcharging. The sellers didn’t pass on the reducing prices impact to the general public and involved over 100 percent overcharging on the majority of perishable which earlier ranges between 40 to 60 percent.

Further, the government authorities remained unable to check the overcharging on meat in the provincial metropolis. The mutton and beef are being sold at Rs2,200-2,400, and Rs1,200-1,400 respectively against the official rates of Rs1,600 and Rs800 per kilogram while the chicken meat sellers never follow official rates. This week the price of chicken was further reduced by Rs12 per kg in official rate list and fixed at Rs374-388 per kg, which sold at Rs450-470 per kg, and chicken meat by Rs18 per kg, fixed at Rs562 per kg, and sold at Rs600-1,000 per kg on Sunday.

The price of potato soft skin A-grade was increased by Rs2 per kg, fixed at Rs50-55 per kg, sold at Rs100 per kg, B-grade at Rs41-45 per kg and C-grade at Rs32-35 per kg, mixed sold at Rs60-80 per kg.

The price of onion A-grade reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs70-75 per kg, sold at Rs100-120 per kg, B-grade at Rs60-65 per kg, and C-grade at Rs50-55 per kg, mixed sold at Rs70-80 per kg.

The price of tomato A-grade further reduced by Rs15 per kg, fixed at Rs45-50 per kg, sold at Rs100-120 per kg, B-grade fixed at Rs36-40 per kg, and C-grade at Rs31-35 per kg, mixed sold at Rs60-80 per kg.

The price of garlic local further gained by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs530-555 per kg, sold at Rs800 per kg. Cucumber Farm reduced by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs66-70 per kg, sold at Rs100-120 per kg.

Bitter gourd unchanged at Rs105-110 per kg, sold at Rs200-240 per kg. The price of Spinach declined by Rs10 per kg, at Rs18-20 at Rs40-60 per kg.

Price of cauliflower reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs23-25 per kg, sold at Rs50-80 per kg, cabbage by Rs5 per kg, at Rs28-30 per kg, sold Rs60-80 per kg.

Carrot Chinese fixed at Rs52-55 per kg, sold at Rs300 per kg, carrot local reduced by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs28-30 per kg, sold at Rs30-60 per kg.

Turnip price cut by Rs13 per kg, fixed at Rs20-22 per kg, sold at Rs40-80 per kg. Fenugreek (Methi) reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs33-35 per kg, sold at Rs80-100 per kg. Pea price reduced by Rs15 per kg, fixed at Rs52-55 per kg, sold at Rs50-100 per kg. Radish was fixed at Rs23-25 per kg, sold at Rs30-50 per kg. Mustard leaves price reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs28-30 per kg, sold at Rs50-60 per kg.

The price of different variety of apples gained by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs150-315 per kg, sold at Rs250-600 per kg.

The price of Banana A-category gained by Rs15 per dozen, at Rs188-210 per dozen, sold at Rs300-350 per dozen, and B-category fixed at Rs116-130 dozen, sold at Rs180-200 per dozen, and C-category fixed at Rs71-80 per dozen, sold at Rs150 per dozen.

Guava was increased by Rs20 per kg, fixed at Rs140-190 per kg, sold at Rs220-300 per kg.

Citrus fruit was gained by Rs15 per dozen, fixed Rs170-390 per dozen, sold at Rs300-500 per dozen.

Pomegranate danaydar gained by Rs20 per kg, fixed at Rs362-380 per kg, sold at Rs450-500 per kg, pomegranate kandahari fixed at Rs305-430 per kg, sold at Rs500-700 per kg, pomegranate Bedana further gained by Rs40 per kg, fixed at Rs625-655 per kg, sold at Rs1,000-1,200 per kg.

Dates price increased by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs395-445 per kg, sold at Rs600 to 1,600 per kg.