HYDERABAD: Despite clear instructions from the divisional and district administrations of Hyderabad regarding price control over essential commodities before commencement of holy month of Ramzan-ul-Mubarak, the rates of goods remained high both in wholesale and retail markets of Hyderabad.
Ramzan is said to be the month of blessings but high prices on each and every commodity posing threats of financial constraints for consumers with troubles and worries.
Nearly few hours left for commencement of Ramzan-ul-Mubarak, the hoarders started hoarding of essential commodities with the goals to market the same by creating artificial shortage so that they could earn maximum profits from these goods.
In other Muslims countries of the world, essential commodities available with discount rates even relief on goods also available in Non-Muslim countries, but in Pakistan, the hoarders and profiteers make Ramazn for getting maximum profits and consider this month the month of profiteering.
In Pakistan, it became norm that instead of providing relief, a sudden increase in the prices of essential items becomes effective. Lentils, spices, dates are some of the many items that are sold at high prices.
The dates are used in Ramazan as a religious commitment of which 60 percent hike in their price was noticed despite the facts that Pakistan is the fifth largest producer of dates in the world and the Ramzan is arriving at its peak season.
Similarly, an increase in the prices of potatoes, garlic, ginger and other products was also noticed in the open market. However, prices of the majority of vegetables and fruits remained unchanged, with a slight variance recorded in prices of some among them.
The shopkeepers blamed the wholesalers for the increase in prices while the public criticizing the price control committees for not performing their duties properly.
Vendors and shopkeepers charging enormously on daily items and people are forced to buy due to unavailability of any substitute option.
In Hyderabad, around 15 to 30 percent increase in prices has been reported before Ramazan including lentils, rice, fruits and vegetables.
Vegetable and fruit vendors acknowledged about the sharp increase in prices of some of the vegetables. Besides vegetables, the price of fruits including mango, apricot and plums goes up to before the advent of Ramazan. The minimum price of mango is Rs 90 per Kg, apricot price was Rs 60 per Kg and plums minimum price was Rs 70 to 90 per Kg in fruits market.
Shopkeepers said that all national and multi-national companies selling essential food commodities such as sugar, spices, tomatoes, chicken, white chickpea (dal safed chana), brown chickpea(dal lal chana), flour, potato, red chili and gram flour have increased prices of these items by 20 to 40 percent.
The government had claimed of introducing a mechanism before Ramzan to manage prices of essential commodities in control and the provinces were also directed to keep market prices in control.
