Prices of chicken meat, other items soar

RECORDER REPORT

PESHAWAR: As the Eid draws near, the prices of chicken meat and other special items registered a considerably increased due to unchecked by the authority concerned. Vendors are fleecing buyers with high prices of different Eid-related commodities against the fixed official rates.

In a visit to different bazaars and poultry markets, it was observed that a substantial increase in prices of poultry and meat products was witnessed before arrival of the Eid-ul-Fitr. There was not seen any official to check overpricing and ensure fixed rates to give a relief to poor masses. According to survey the chicken meat is available at Rs200 to 230 and 270 to 300 per kilogram respectively against the officially fixed prices of Rs160 and Rs230, whereas mutton was being sold at Rs450 to 550 per kg in the open market. Live chicken is being sold at Rs200, Rs300 to Rs350 respectively. The buffalo meat is available at Rs270 per kg against the official fixed price of Rs230 per kg.

The prices traditional foods of Eid, like sweet, vermicelli are also registered high rates as compared to last year. Different varieties of sweet are available from the range of Rs200 per kg, Rs300, Rs450 respectively. Vermicelli is being soled at Rs100 to Rs120 per kg. “Namakparaay” is available Rs120 to Rs140 per kg.

“Is anyone to check this overpricing of poultry, meat and other daily usage commodities”, said Gul Khan, a buyer. He said that the prices were totally out of purchasing power of the salaried class. Artificial scarcity created by traders and stock holders in the domestic market is the prime reason behind the high prices, said a poultry wholesaler dealer while talking to this scribe. He attributed that the unchecked illegal smuggling is still going on, because of which immense shortages of poultry products in the province, ultimately prices will rise up.

Ajmal Khan, a government employee while buying commodities at Nauthia bazaar said that chicken and meat was now beyond purchasing power people of middle class as prices of these commodities is kept increasing day by day. He said that most of the officials of the district administration have their ‘behind the curtain’ contacts, as these officials takes daily from almost all main dealers and vendors.

To take view point of the concerned district authorities in this connection, the Assistant Coordinator Officer (ACO) Peshawar Zafar Ali Shah replied in customary words that they had remained active in the entire holy month of Ramazan to keep close check on prices, and took stern action against hoarders and profiteers. When asked about the recent decision of the apex court to ensure supply of commodities to tribal areas and in local markets and maintain prices, he said that they were set-up joint special check posts at various points in the adjacent tribal agencies. We were tried to ensure sufficient supply to Fata and in settled areas, he maintained.