Prices of most essential kitchen items remain on high side

TAHIR AMIN

ISLAMABAD: Prices of most of the essential kitchen items remained on high side during the first week of Ramazan, without any significant change during the past week as compared to the preceding week, revealed a survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Saturday.

According to the wholesalers and traders in different markets of the twin cities, high rates kept the common people away from shopping. They further stated that no significant change was observed during the past week, but as compared to the last year most of the kitchen items registered about 60-100 percent increase in prices. During the last week prices of most of the essential kitchen items remained unchanged, but before the advent of Ramazan they touched new heights, they observed.

During the last week, price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) increased by Rs 10 per kg, however chicken prices witnessed a sharp decline as it was available at Rs 165 per kg against its previous price of Rs 195 per kg. During the survey it was observed that grapes were available at Rs 300 to Rs 350 per kg, apple at Rs 180-200 per kg, mango at Rs 80-100 per kg, peach at Rs 100-120 per kg, guava at Rs 150 per kg, banana at Rs 180-220 per dozen and lemon at Rs 180 per kg.

Rice prices also increased during the last week as super colonel was available at Rs 130 per kg against Rs 125 per kg while broken rice was available at Rs 80 against Rs 75 per kg. Sugar price remained unchanged at Rs 55 per kg. Basin was available at Rs 120-130 per kg, while dates were available at Rs 280-400 per kg. Milk and yogurt prices remained on high side without any change during the past week.

Prices of entire range of pulses witnessed no change as Maash is being sold at Rs 160 per kg, Moong at Rs 160 per kg, Lobia at Rs 130 per kg, Masoor at Rs 135 per kg and white Channa at Rs 180 per kg during the last week.

Jalibi was available at Rs 160 per kg, Samosa price at Rs 120 per dozen and Pakora at Rs 180 per kg. Beef is being sold at Rs 560 per kg, mutton at Rs 360 per kg and eggs at Rs 72 per dozen.

Survey revealed that onion was available at Rs 30-35 per kg, potato at Rs 40 per kg, tomato at Rs 40 per kg, cucumber at Rs 40-45 per kg, Shimla Mirch at Rs 80 per kg, carrot at Rs 40 per kg, Karela at Rs 40, ladyfinger at Rs 50 and Arvi at Rs 60 per kg without significant changes in prices last week.

People from different walks of life told this correspondent that due to high prices, their shopping declined significantly during the month of Ramazan as compared to last year. How a common man can buy fruits and other special Ramazan items including basin, dates, pickle and meat at such a high rates.

However they held government responsible for no check and balance as far as prices of consumer items are concerned and people were left at the mercy of traders and wholesalers who are fleecing them.