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
