Record increase in vegetable, fruit prices

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

Khalid Iqbal
Rawalpindi
The brokers (‘arhti’ mafia) in the Vegetable and Fruit Market of Islamabad with full backing of administrations of twin cities and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) have made unprecedented increase in the prices of vegetables and fruits just within a week.
The brokers have been given free hand to loot the people on different pretexts like flood situation, shortage of items etc. while the concerned authorities are unmoved against the mafia. The mighty brokers taking advantage of the floods deliberately avoid bringing items in markets to create artificial shortage that ultimately boost up prices of these commodities.
All parties are taking their share of commission on daily basis by fixing higher rates of the vegetables and fruits. On the other hand Rawalpindi, Islamabad and CDA administrations are admitting the worst inflation, but not ready to take responsibility by putting blame on each other.
There is only one Vegetable and Fruit Market that falls in the jurisdiction of Islamabad administration from where vegetables and fruit are being supplied to Rawalpindi, Murree and Azad Kashmir areas. Every day open bidding starts at around 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. in the market where ‘arhtis’ (brokers) fix rates of items. But unfortunately not a single official of either administration of Rawalpindi and Islamabad or CDA turns up to monitor the rates for retail. Taking advantage of the absence of the officials, ‘arhtis’ fix rates at their will.
‘Arhtis’ are thus given free hand to suck the last drop of blood of helpless public. On Thursday onion was being sold for Rs100-110 per kilogram, ‘shimla mirch’ Rs130, potato Rs50, Radish Rs60, ‘arvi’ Rs60, cauliflower Rs100, ‘tenda’ Rs60, ladyfinger Rs70, ginger Rs260 and tomato Rs70-80 per kilogram. Similarly apples were being sold for Rs100-120 per kilogram, grapes Rs250-300 and ‘garma’ Rs60.
Owing to the criminal silence of the respective administrations people have been braving almost 200 per cent inflation just within a week. Executive District Officer (EDO) Finance and Planning Saqib Manan admitting the fact that people are facing unbearable inflation said that they could not do anything against brokers. He said that market committee administration is responsible and should check brokers at the time of open bidding to fix controlled rates, he said.
When ‘The News’ contacted Market Committee Superintendent Muhammad Naeem Shah he said, “We are helpless in controlling rates at the time of open bidding through brokers in vegetable and fruit market. Only Islamabad administration is responsible to control rates announced by brokers because ‘sabzi mandi’ exists in the jurisdiction of Islamabad,” he said.
When ‘The News’ contacted Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Deputy Commissioner Amer Ali Ahmed, he also admitted that people were facing unbearable inflation. He said that only CDA is responsible to fix the control rates in ‘sabzi mandi’. CDA officials should remain present in the ‘sabzi mandi’ at the time of open bidding of vegetables and fruits, he said. He said that they would take strict action against hoarders and profiteers and also check cold storages and godowns to bring items in market to avoid artificial shortage. But CDA should play its role in controlling rates, he said.
When ‘The News’ contacted Capital Development Authority (CDA) Deputy Director Ramzan Sajid, he said that only ICT administration is responsible for fixing rate in ‘sabzi mandi’ adding CDA implements the rates of ICT administration in markets. He said that as per routine ICT administration puts blame on CDA to cover its inefficiency.
Islamabad Sabzi Mandi Artis Association President Malik Muhammad Naeem when contacted by ‘The News’ said, “Our only concern is commission at the time of open bidding.” He admitted lack of cold storages in the country saying there are only 50 cold storages in twin cities. He said that they are importing onion from India and Kabul at higher rates while floods had destroyed all vegetables and fruits across the country, therefore, people are facing inflation. “People could face inflated rates during next two months,” he warned.
All Pakistan Sabzi Mandi Association President Haji Shah Jahan when contacted by ‘The News’ said that only government is responsible for this situation. “People are facing higher inflation and shortage of items due to lack of planning on part of the government, he added.