Monday, November 03, 2008
By Jawwad Rizvi
LAHORE: FOLLOWING the start of new month, great rush of buyers was witnessed in all the Sunday bazaars this week as the salaried class did monthly or weekly buying.The prices of majority of vegetables in the makeshift markets registered an increasing trend despite their ample supply. Sale of flour was higher this week. A 20-kilogram flour bag in different Sunday bazaars was sold at Rs 415. Almost three truckloads of flour bags were seen at almost every Sunday bazaar. However, there were reports of poor quality of flour. At least three to four complaints were registered against the quality of flour in the complaint registers of almost every Sunday bazaar. Some of the complainants had mentioned that it seemed that sand was mix into flour. No complainant is accommodated at the Sunday bazaars if they bring back the substandard flour which they had purchased previous week.With the increase in trading activities, the numbers of complaints also increased regarding sale of substandard fruits and vegetables. Similarly, the incidents of overcharging also increased.In Shadman Sunday bazaar, the administration imposed Rs 2,000 fine on female vendors for overcharging and hiding the price cards issued by the market committee officials. These vendors had overcharged the customers on garlic, ginger and lemon. On the complaint of a buyer, the administration took this action.Upon another complaint about less weighing, the bazaar administration also confiscated weights from two vendors who were selling dry fruits, including fig and almond. Sugar was still missing in the makeshift markets. The price of chicken for Sunday bazaars was fixed at Rs 109 per kg while in different areas of the city it was sold at Rs 105 to Rs 110 per kg.The CDGL remained failed to improve the situation at majority of Sunday bazaars. Vendors still sell their products by putting them on ground. Similarly, vendors holding their vegetables carts were standing inside the premises of the bazaars. The management of the bazaars not asked them to go outside as vegetables and fruits carts were not allowed on the premises of Sunday bazaars.The vendors also continued sale of mixed fruits and vegetables at A-grade price fixed by the market committee.In many Sunday bazaars the vendors sold even rotten fruits and vegetables by mixing them into low grade items. They were also found selling low quality fruits and vegetables at higher rates. This week, price of onion remained stable. The official rate of onion in the wholesale market was at Rs 13 to Rs 16 per kg while its makeshift market rate was at Rs 15 to Rs 18 per kg. In the open market, onion was sold at 20 to Rs 22 per kg against official price of Rs 16 to Rs 19 per kg. The administration had not made the grading of onion thus the vendors sold it by mixing the different quality onion at Rs 18 per kg.The price of new potato in Sunday bazaars further increased and it was fixed at Rs 30 to Rs 36 per kg. Price of stored potatoes reduced by one rupee per kg and was fixed at Rs 14 to Rs 18 per kg from the previous week’s price of Rs 15 to Rs 19 per kg.In the open market, vendors sold potato at Rs 32 to Rs 40 per kg by mixing stored potato in the new potato against the officially fixed rate of Rs 32 to Rs 38 per kg.Price of tomato was fixed at Rs 28 to Rs 37 per kg. In Sunday bazaars tomato was sold at the highest rate of Rs 37 per kg. Price of garlic, China, remained stable at Rs 27 to Rs 30 per kg. Price of garlic, Desi, reduced by Rs 2 per kg and was fixed at Rs 20 to Rs 24 per kilogram from the last week’s price of Rs 20 to Rs 26 per kg.Rate of ginger, China, was fixed at Rs 62 to Rs 64 per kg from Rs 64 to Rs 66 per kg and ginger, Thai, price was fixed at Rs 37 to Rs 42 per kg from the last week’s price of Rs 45 to Rs 47 per kg. Price of cucumber reduced by Rs 12 per kg and was fixed at Rs 30 to Rs 40 per kg from Rs 42 to Rs 52 per kg. Price of peas reduced by Rs 20 per kg and was fixed at Rs 52 to Rs 62 per kg from the last week’s price of Rs 72 to Rs 82 per kg. Capsicum price reduced by Rs 2 per kg and was fixed at Rs 30 to Rs 36 per kg. Green chilli price was fixed at Rs 27 to Rs 32 per kg.Price of lemon, China, was fixed at Rs 14 to Rs 22 per kg from Rs 22 to Rs 32 per kg.Price of cauliflower was from Rs 30 to Rs 38 per kg and cabbage rate was from Rs 16 to Rs 18 per kg. Spinach price was fixed at Rs 12 to Rs 15 per kg. Price of radish was fixed at Rs 6 to Rs 8 per kg, carrot at Rs 20 to Rs 24 per kg, brinjal at Rs 26 to Rs 30 per kg and turnip at Rs 20 to Rs 22 per kg.Ladyfinger price was fixed at Rs 38 to Rs 44 per kg. Price of biter gourd was fixed at Rs 32 to Rs 37 per kg. Pumpkin price was fixed at Rs 27 to Rs 32 per kg. Price of arum was fixed at Rs 18 to Rs 22 per kg.Price of different quality apples was fixed at Rs 15 to Rs 57 per kg but their average sale price in the makeshift markets was at Rs 35 to Rs 45 per kg.Price of banana was from Rs 11 to Rs 24 per dozen from the last week’s price of Rs 12 to Rs 25 per dozen while banana in Sunday bazaar was sold at the highest rate of Rs 24 per dozen.Price of pomegranate ranged between Rs 82 and Rs 102 per kg from Rs 47 to Rs 112 per kg while vendors charged its average price Rs 100 per kg.Rates of grapes were from Rs 57 to Rs 122 per kg while their price was from Rs 52 to Rs 122 per kg last week and their average price charged by vendors was Rs 80 per kg. Price of guava was from Rs 17 to Rs 30 per kg.
Survey was publihsed on November 03 2008 in The News Lahore City pages
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