Most Sunday bazaar items have no expiry date

Monday, February 16, 2009

By Jawwad Rizvi

LAHORE: NO manufacturing and expiry dates on different edibles items is a serious threat to human being, as in many cases the expired items are sold in the market, which caused health problems to users.A survey conducted by The News at various Sunday bazaars of the city found that on most of edibles items, the expiry and manufacturing dates were not printed. Even in some cases, the companies had also not printed the price of their products. The News has found that various brands of ghee and cooking oil were being sold in the Sunday bazaars but the same was not mentioned. Similarly, manufacturing and expiry dates were not printed on the washing powders, bath soaps and detergent soaps packages, it directly affected the skin if someone uses the expired item. The sales representatives of these companies said that sometime customers’ complained about the poor quality of the products but they were unable to take back the sold and semi used item from the customers. They said that if they replaced a product with a new one, the company distributors do not replace it. Therefore, we do not replace the used product here at Sunday bazaar, they added. Meanwhile, mixed price-trend was seen this week in the Sunday bazaars with the complaints of overcharging. Lethargic attitude of the government officials towards the poor and middle class localities’ Sunday bazaars persisted as no district government official bothered to solve their problems.Brisk business activities were recorded this week. Shortage of onions continued in majority of Sunday bazaars the vendors sold mixed onion of different quality onion at higher rates. In Shalimar, Tajpura, Green Town and Shahdara Sunday bazaars vendors sold lower quality and rotten fruits and vegetables at higher rates.The city district government reduced the sugar price by Re one per kg for Sunday bazaars and fixed it at Rs 41 per kg from last week’s price of Rs 42 per kg. Daal Masoor was sold at Rs 113 per kilogram, lentils whole rate was fixed at Rs 62 to Rs 69 per kg from Rs 65 to Rs 68 per kg.The price of potatoes was fixed at Rs seven to Rs 10 per kg and it sold at Rs 10 per kg. The price of onions gained by Rs three per kg and was fixed at Rs 19 to Rs 25 per kg from Rs 16 to Rs 22 per kg and it had sold at maximum price of Rs 25 per kg.Tomatoes price was reduced by Rs two per kg and fixed at Rs 20 to Rs 26 per kg from Rs 22 to Rs 28 per kg. It was sold at Rs 26 per kg everywhere. Chinese garlic price was fixed at Rs 26 to Rs 28 and it sold at Rs 30 per kg while desi garlic price was fixed at Rs 28 to Rs 32 per kg from Rs 26 to Rs 32 per kg and it sold at Rs 35 per kg.The price of Thai ginger sharply gained by Rs 12 per kg and reached Rs 58 to Rs 62 per kg from last week’s Rs 46 to Rs 50 per and sold at Rs 62 per kg. Chinese ginger price was fixed at Rs 68 to Rs 72 per kg from Rs 56 to Rs 60 per kg after gaining Rs 12 per kg. The price of farm spinach was fixed at Rs three to Rs four per kg and it sold at Rs five per kg and desi spinach at Rs four to Rs five per kg and it sold at Rs eight per kg. Brinjal was sold at Rs 14 per kg while its price was fixed at Rs 12 to Rs 14 per kg. Cucumber price was fixed at Rs 14 to Rs 18 per kg after reduction by Rs two per kg from the last week’s Rs 16 to Rs 20 per kg. Cabbage’s price was fixed at Rs seven to Rs 10 per kg and it sold at Rs 10 per kg while cauliflower price was Rs four to Rs six per kg and it sold at Rs six per kg. Pumpkin was sold at Rs 26 per kg as compared to its price of Rs 20 to Rs 26 per kg. The price of turnips was fixed at Rs four to Rs five per kg and it sold at Rs eight to Rs 10 per kg. Radish had sold at Rs five to Rs eight per kg from its price of Rs three to Rs four per kg, carrot was sold at Rs six per kg from its price of Rs four to Rs six per kg. Peas’ price was fixed at Rs 14 to Rs 20 per kg from Rs 16 to Rs 20 per kg and it sold at Rs 20 per kg.Capsicums price was reduced by Rs 12 to Rs 16 per kg and sold and fixed at Rs 30 to Rs 40 per kg from last week’s Rs 42 to Rs 46 per kg and it sold at Rs 40 per kg.Green Chillies price also sharply gained by Rs 15 to Rs 20 per kg and reached at Rs 50 to Rs 60 per kg from last week’s Rs 35 to Rs 40 per kg and it sold at Rs 60 per kg. A Coriander bundle was sold at Rs five as compared to its price of Rs three to Rs four per bundle.The price of different variety of apples was fixed at Rs 24 to Rs 65 per kg and average price in Sunday bazaar was Rs 50 per kg. Guava price was fixed at Rs 24 to Rs 40 per kg and it sold at Rs 40 per kg.The price of different varieties of oranges was fixed at Rs 26 to Rs 70 per dozen from Rs 24 to Rs 70 per dozen but average price in Sunday bazaar was Rs 40 to Rs 60 per dozen. Grapefruit price was fixed at Rs seven to Rs 10 per piece but it was sold Rs 10 per piece. The price of bananas was fixed at Rs 14 to Rs 30 per dozen and it sold Rs 30 per dozen.

Bakeries do roaring business after gas loadshedding

Monday, February 16, 2009

By Jawwad Rizvi

LAHORE: RESIDENTS in southern Lahore faced problems after unannounced loadshedding of gas by the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) for over 12 hours on Sunday.The gas supply to Green Town, Township, Model Town, Link Road, Model Town, Akbar Chowk, Faisal Town, Johar Town, Kot Lakhpath and other adjacent areas was suspended by the SNGPL for maintenance. The gas supply to the said areas was suspended at 11am and it was not restored till the filing of the report. The SNGPL officials were only telling people that gas supply would be restored at midnight. When The News called the helpline, Saleem, an official, said the gas supply was suspended at 12pm noon and it would be restored at midnight. People of the abovementioned localities faced numerous problems as due to Sunday, they got up late and due to gas outage, they were unable to prepare breakfast. They rushed to the hotels and restaurants of the areas but they were also closed due to non-availability of gas. They had to go to the areas like Iqbal Town and other localities for purchasing food. Following the suspension of gas supply, bakeries did a roaring business as they were the only option left for people who purchased snacks and other bakery items to have their breakfast. Some of them even went to their relatives’ houses as guests to evade the problem. Amer Baig, a resident of XI-Block, Township, said he was shocked to experience the loadshedding of gas without a prior notice. He said he moved to his in-laws in the cantonment area after he was informed that gas supply would not be restored till midnight. Imran Ahmed, a resident of Green Town, said the gas closure had created huge troubles for him. “I had invited my friends in a party at my residence but I had to cancel it,” he said.On the other hand, the SNGPL officials claimed that they had announced the gas closure some two days back in the national print and electronic media. SNGPL Regional Manager Arif Hameed said the company had also made announcements in the area through loudspeakers, besides giving intimation advertisements in the media. He further said the company had been shifting main supply line of the area and it had had intimated the company high-ups about the suspension of gas supply. He said there was no gas shortage in the Lahore region and Sunday’s gas suspension was just for maintenance work.

Agri Dept to launch drive against wheat virus

Sunday, February 15, 2009

By Jawwad Rizvi

LAHORETHE Punjab Agriculture Department has issued instructions to filed officers of irrigated districts of the province to start campaign against ‘Aphid’ attack on wheat crop. According to experts, punitive measures are crucial to protect wheat crop from Aphid virus at this stage. Wheat crop has now in the phase where the plant is prone to the attack of aphid due to intermittent temperatures. A letter issued by Director General Agriculture (Extension) Dr Muhammad Anjum Ali to all district officers stated that Aphid damage was reported in previous year in Punjab. The Punjab Agriculture Department has made a comprehensive plan to avert loses from this particular virus attack, it said. The department had adopted biological and physical control such as sowing of brassica lines in wheat as part of the pre-emptive measures adopted for the purpose.The letter said the appearance of this pest had been reported and its population may increase in coming days and it was the right time to go for the second phase of the strategy to put Chrysoperla Cards in wheat to maximise the population of this friendly pest. Therefore, the department had advised the officers of Irrigated Districts of the province to place their demand with the laboratories of the department to install the cards for keeping the aphid population below threshold level. The Chrysoperla rearing facilities are available at six places in the Punjab and Vehari laboratory of the department would help Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Muzaffargarh, Lodhran and Layyah districts to maximize the population of Chrysoperla (Aphid Lion) in accordance with the plan approved by the agriculture secretary.Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakpattan and Vehari districts would be taken care of by Pakpattan laboratory, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang and Bhakkar by TT Singh laboratory, Okara, Sahiwal, Khanewal, Lahore, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura and Hafizabad by Sahiwal Laboratory and Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Narowal and Sialkot by Okara while Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali and Gujrat districts would be taken care of by Faisalabad installation of the agriculture department.The letter advised that since gram and other winter vegetables were also in fields and it was feared that problem of Helicoverpa may cause damage to these crops and may shift to cotton as well, so the districts having area under gram and vegetable may also install Trichogramma Cards.

Rain spoils shopping at Sunday bazaars

Monday, January 19, 2009

By Jawwad Rizvi

LAHORE: HEAVY rain marred trading activities in Sunday bazaars this week as rainwater accumulated in almost every makeshift market while the city district government’s Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) was not seen pumping it out.In a survey conducted in different bazaars of the provincial metropolis, The News found them in unhygienic conditions after the rain. Rainwater gathered in every Sunday bazaar except the Shalimar makeshift market, which remained an exception for being located at a comparatively higher area. Condition of Sunday bazaars was disappointing in poor localities, including Green Town and Tajpura bazaars, which were established in low-lying areas on plain grounds and rainwater was gathered in the ground, which became slippery and muddy. The sale of rotten fruits and vegetables also continued there and no check from any authority was seen. Similarly, rainwater accumulated in the Shadman Sunday Bazaar and vendors were observed standing outside the premises of the bazaar. The town administration staff, whose duty was to stop non-registered vendors to enter the bazaar, were absent and only market committee, livestock and labour department officials were found performing their duties there. In a majority of Sunday bazaars, senior management of the towns was not found as they knew the district coordination officer (DCO) and other officials concerned of the Punjab government would not visit the bazaars due to rain. Similarly, in almost all the Sunday bazaars, vendors overcharged consumers on garlic, ginger, and green chilli.In the evening, sale of vegetables increased as compared to the morning. Vendors also reduced rates due to ample stock left with them due to slow business in the morning after rain. Besides, vegetables could not be stored as they had got wet in the rain and they were trying to sell the sell their stock even below the prices by the market committee. Due to the administrative control authority, complaints of overcharging were also recorded throughout the day except the evening. In the Shadman Sunday Bazaar carrot was sold at Rs10 per kg instead of fixed rate of Rs8 per kilogram. However, vendors sold peas at Rs30 per kg against the fixed rates of Rs34 per kg due to their ample supply across the city. Mixed price trend was recorded in the fruits and vegetables as some items’ rates increased while others’ decreased. Sale of substandard fruits and vegetables was witnessed in Tajpura, Green Town and Shahdra Sunday bazaars while in Shalimar Sunday bazaars majority of vegetables and fruits were missing.The price of onion ranged between Rs12 to Rs17 per kg from last week’s rate of Rs14 to Rs17 per kg. However, vendors sold onion at maximum price of Rs16 to Rs17 per kg by mixing low grade in the A-grade onions. The price of new potato was fixed at Rs9 to Rs11 per kg from Rs9 to Rs12 per kg during the last week. Tomato price was reduced by Rs4 per kilogram and fixed at Rs14 to Rs20 per kg from Rs18 to Rs24 per kg during the last week.Garlic (China) gained increase in price by Rs2 per kg and was fixed at Rs30 to Rs34 per kg, while garlic (Desi) was sold at Rs16 to Rs22 per kg as compared to last week’s price of Rs14 to Rs16. The rate of ginger (China) was also increased by Rs4 to Rs8 per kg and it was fixed at Rs52 to Rs60 per kg and rate of ginger (Thai) was fixed at Rs45 to Rs48 after gaining increase of Rs7 to Rs8 per kg. Capsicum rate were increased by Rs8 to Rs5 per kg and it was fixed at Rs48 to Rs50 per kg from Rs40 to Rs45 per kg but the vegetable was not seen in any of the makeshift markets. Green chilli rate was reduced by Rs4 per kg and fixed at Rs26 to Rs32 from Rs30 to Rs32 per kg on the last Sunday. However, it was not available in the majority of Sunday bazaars. The price of lemon (China) was fixed at Rs14 to Rs20 from Rs10 to Rs16 per kg while arte of lemon (Desi) was not fixed and it was sold in Shadman Sunday Bazaar at Rs100 per kg. The price of cucumber was fixed at Rs22 to Rs26 per kg from Rs20 to Rs28 per kg, but it was also not found in the Sunday bazaars. The rate of cauliflower was fixed at Rs6 to Rs9 per kg from Rs6 to Rs8 per kg, and cabbage price was fixed at Rs7 to Rs9 from Rs8 to Rs10 per kg. Spinach price was fixed at Rs4 to Rs5 per kg and rate of spinach (Desi) was fixed at Rs5 to Rs6 per kg but it was sold at Rs8 per kg. The price of radish was Rs4 to Rs5 per kg, carrot price was Rs6 to Rs8 per kilogram, brinjal rate Rs12 to Rs16 per kg, and turnip was fixed at Rs to Rs6 per kg. Fenugreek (Methi) price was fixed at Rs10 to Rs12 per kg. Apple rate was fixed at Rs24 to Rs60 per kg (depending on the quality) but the average price of good quality apple was sold at Rs45 to Rs50 per kg. Banana price was Rs to Rs30 per dozen from Rs12 to Rs24 per dozen but it was not missing in the majority of makeshift markets while it sold at Rs30 per dozen wherever it was available. Rate of different varieties of orange ranged from Rs24 to Rs60 per dozen. Guava was sold at Rs35 per kg against the official rate of Rs26 to Rs32 per kg.

Published in The News Lahore City Pages

Petrol shortage irks citizens

Friday, December 26, 2008

By Jawwad Rizvi

LAHORE: Petrol was unavailable at majority of the pumps in the city on Thursday which created huge difficulties for the motorists. The petrol pumps owners said despite the indents sent to the companies the fresh supply had not arrived due to which the sale of petrol was suspended. In a survey conducted by The Newsfrom the different localities of the city, has found the petrol was notavailable while the petrol stations were selling diesel only. The owners and managers said they had sent the supply indents to their respective companies but not received, causing the shortage of petrol. It has found almost 70 per cent petrol pumps of the city had not received fresh supply of petrol. In Lahore, almost 220 petrol pumps are operating. Thus petrol was not available over 150 pumps of different localities. The pump owners said due to distortions in supply line of petrol from companies, the people had been facing problems. They said storing petrol was not beneficial for the petrol pumps as the prices of it had registered a declining trend. They said the oil companies were not timely supplying petrol to them despite getting payments in advance. They said the oil companies were supplying half of the quantity against their total demand. Meanwhile, in the wake of unavailability of petrol at pumps, the sale of it continued across the city openly through other channels. The unauthorised dealers have been selling adulterated petrol for Rs 70 to Rs 80 per liter. The motorcyclists were compelled to buy this adulterated petrol at higher prices.Contrary to this, an official of a private oil marketing company on the condition of anonymity confirmed the shortage of petrol in the country. He said the petrol pumps dealers and owners themselves were sending less demand of petrol as compared to the past. He pointed out the pumps dealers and owners were keeping limited quantity with them in order to avoid loses when the price of petrol decreased. Current shortage was due to the Christmas holiday and the petrol was not supplied from the depot, he said adding that now the fresh supply would start from Friday (today). He added it would again stop on Saturday because of the national holiday. He said currently country had been facing petrol shortage due to the previous backlog which occurred after delay in the payments to the oil refineries.

Sacrificial animals’ sale dawdles

Sunday, December 07, 2008
By Jawwad Rizvi

LAHORE: The sale of sacrificial animals is not gaining momentum in the provincial metropolis although Eidul Azha is just two days away. Buyers are going back to their homes without purchasing any sacrificial animal due to the high prices while sellers are reluctant to reduce the prices while anticipating buying spree.The activity of buying sacrificial animals used to pick up in the last week before Eidul Azha in the past. However, high prices and escalating inflation has shrunk the buying power of the common man. The middle class people are participating in sacrifice of cows this year as goats are out of their capacity.In the last week before the Eidul Azha, buyers come out to markets for buying sacrificial animals or at least start a hunt for them, and the goatherds are usually seen engaging in hot negotiation with buyers over the prices. However, this year the goatherds are seen sitting idle and waiting for buyers.The News, in a survey conducted in the different localities of the city, including the Expo Centre (Johar Town), Shahpur Kanjaran, Ghaziaabad Bus Stop, Herbanspura, Saggian Bridge, Peco Road, China Scheme (Shalimar Town), Hamdard Chowk (Township), Daroghawala, Manawan, Baboo Sabu and Bakkar Mandi, found that a large number of animals are seen standing in majority of markets while sellers are waiting for their turn. It has found that in different markets of the city, sellers demand between Rs9,000 and Rs10,000 price for a 15 to 18kg goat. They ask for Rs15,000 to Rs17,000 for a well-built goat of 22 to 25kg and Rs20,000 to Rs25,000 for a goat of 30kg or more weight.Similarly, the asking price for a reasonable cow is Rs35,000 to Rs50,000 and Rs60,000 to Rs90,000 for an extra-ordinarily-built cow depending upon the locality. The price of a camel ranges from Rs30,000 to Rs40,000 in different areas.Interestingly, during bargaining, sellers are not lowering the asking prices of goats as compared to camel and cow. Good bargainers successfully buy a reasonable cow in the range of Rs25,000 to Rs40,000, depending upon the size while for an healthy cow is being sold at Rs60,000 to Rs80,000. In the case of goats, sellers are not reducing the prices, saying that they will sell their goats after Eidul Azha at the meat rate. Those who belong to southern Punjab do not decrease the prices on the pretext that they have to include the expenses they bore while transporting the animals. They claim that they are bound to sell their animals at higher prices to meet their expenses. Rafique, a cattle seller from Sahiwal, was very disappointed with the slow trading. He said it was surprising for him, adding that he had sold all of his stock one day before to Eid last year while this year, only one animal was sold out of 30. He was of the view that only non-serious buyers were coming to the markets to ask for prices of sacrificial animals, and hence the sellers were facing losses due to expenditure on fodder. Some goatherds blamed the City District Government Lahore (CDGL) for slow sale and purchase of sacrificial animals, as they complained that momentum could not pick up due to restrictions imposed by the city government on the free movement of animals in the residential areas and on the roads. It was observed that more animals arrived in the city this year as compared to the last year that’s why there are chances that the prices would decline on the Chand Raat.

Sacrificial animals’ sale dawdles

Sunday, December 07, 2008

By Jawwad Rizvi

LAHORE: The sale of sacrificial animals is not gaining momentum in the provincial metropolis although Eidul Azha is just two days away. Buyers are going back to their homes without purchasing any sacrificial animal due to the high prices while sellers are reluctant to reduce the prices while anticipating buying spree.The activity of buying sacrificial animals used to pick up in the last week before Eidul Azha in the past. However, high prices and escalating inflation has shrunk the buying power of the common man. The middle class people are participating in sacrifice of cows this year as goats are out of their capacity.In the last week before the Eidul Azha, buyers come out to markets for buying sacrificial animals or at least start a hunt for them, and the goatherds are usually seen engaging in hot negotiation with buyers over the prices. However, this year the goatherds are seen sitting idle and waiting for buyers.The News, in a survey conducted in the different localities of the city, including the Expo Centre (Johar Town), Shahpur Kanjaran, Ghaziaabad Bus Stop, Herbanspura, Saggian Bridge, Peco Road, China Scheme (Shalimar Town), Hamdard Chowk (Township), Daroghawala, Manawan, Baboo Sabu and Bakkar Mandi, found that a large number of animals are seen standing in majority of markets while sellers are waiting for their turn. It has found that in different markets of the city, sellers demand between Rs9,000 and Rs10,000 price for a 15 to 18kg goat. They ask for Rs15,000 to Rs17,000 for a well-built goat of 22 to 25kg and Rs20,000 to Rs25,000 for a goat of 30kg or more weight.Similarly, the asking price for a reasonable cow is Rs35,000 to Rs50,000 and Rs60,000 to Rs90,000 for an extra-ordinarily-built cow depending upon the locality. The price of a camel ranges from Rs30,000 to Rs40,000 in different areas.Interestingly, during bargaining, sellers are not lowering the asking prices of goats as compared to camel and cow. Good bargainers successfully buy a reasonable cow in the range of Rs25,000 to Rs40,000, depending upon the size while for an healthy cow is being sold at Rs60,000 to Rs80,000. In the case of goats, sellers are not reducing the prices, saying that they will sell their goats after Eidul Azha at the meat rate. Those who belong to southern Punjab do not decrease the prices on the pretext that they have to include the expenses they bore while transporting the animals. They claim that they are bound to sell their animals at higher prices to meet their expenses. Rafique, a cattle seller from Sahiwal, was very disappointed with the slow trading. He said it was surprising for him, adding that he had sold all of his stock one day before to Eid last year while this year, only one animal was sold out of 30. He was of the view that only non-serious buyers were coming to the markets to ask for prices of sacrificial animals, and hence the sellers were facing losses due to expenditure on fodder. Some goatherds blamed the City District Government Lahore (CDGL) for slow sale and purchase of sacrificial animals, as they complained that momentum could not pick up due to restrictions imposed by the city government on the free movement of animals in the residential areas and on the roads. It was observed that more animals arrived in the city this year as compared to the last year that’s why there are chances that the prices would decline on the Chand Raat.