20-25 percent rise in essential commodities' prices

Prices of the entire range of essential kitchen items have gone up from 20 to 25 percent in one month, according to a survey carried out by Business Recorder here on Saturday. The survey in the twin cities of Islamabad/Rawalpindi showed that hoarders and profiteers are all set to earn as much as they can, as Ramazan is fast approaching. Both buyers and sellers said that the prices of daily use essential commodities have recorded sharp increase during the last few days.
The prices of an entire range of essential commodities including pulses, cooking oil, chicken, mutton, tea, eggs, vegetables (onion, tomatoes, garlic and others) have registered a significant increase. In addition, prices of different essential commodities like flour, oil, rice, tea etc varied from shop to shop in different localities of the two cities.
The prices of fruits and vegetable remained on high side including the prices of oil, pulses, milk, and other edibles. Similarly besan, use of which increases in Ramazan, was available at Rs 72 per kg, against previously Rs 60 per kg. Price of ghee and cooking oil registered an increase of Rs 20 per kg.
Price of white gram (sufaid channa) also surged during the last few days, as its demand also increases during Ramazan. It was available at Rs 80 per kg against last week's Rs 65 per kg. Retail price of daal masur surged to Rs 105-107 per kg compared to previous Rs 98 per kg; and price of daal chana increased from Rs 65 per kg to Rs 68 per kg.
Bananas were available at Rs 80 per dozen against previously Rs 70 per dozen. Mangoes were available in the range of Rs 100 to 120 per kg compared to Rs 80 per kg last week. Similarly, apple was available at Rs 150 against its previous price Rs 120 per kg. Okra was sold at Rs 70 per kg tomato at Rs 55 per kg against Rs 45 last week, potato and onion each at Rs 40 per kg and arvi at 50 per kg and Karela in the range of Rs 45 to Rs 50.
During survey, it was noted that two weeks ago hotel owners had also increased the prices of cooked food like pulses, vegetables, mutton, chicken and beef from Rs 40 to Rs 50, Rs 30 to Rs 40, Rs 60 to 75, Rs 60 to Rs 75 and Rs 80 to Rs 100 per plate respectively.
People from all walks of life voiced serious concerns over the considerable increase in the prices of kitchen commodities. They said that prices of many commodities associated with the holy month of Ramazan have almost doubled as compared to previous month.
Asad, a resident of Sector G-6/2 of Islamabad, said that hoarding by some traders is the main reason behind the recent price hike, while the government has failed to control this illegal practice. Citizens lashed out at the government for failure in providing relief to the poor masses and the poor price checking mechanism. They blamed the government for giving the profiteers free hand.