Citizens perturbed over violation of official price lists by shopkeepers.

RAWALPINDI -- For the district administration, distribution of free wheat flour is the only solution to provide relief to those struck by poverty but it has turned a blind eye towards over-charging and violation of price lists by shopkeepers, for basic commodities.

Though, the district administration has fixed prices of meat, roti, rice, besin, vegetables, fruits and other edibles, shopkeepers have ignored it and charge what they want to and people have no other option but to buy edibles at rates fixed by shopkeepers.

According to an official list, the price of milk was fixed at Rs165 per litre but it is being sold at Rs200 per litre, curd was fixed to be sold at Rs170 but it is being sold at Rs220 in the market.

The price of mutton was fixed at Rs1,500 per kg but in the market, it is available at Rs1,800 per kg and beef at Rs750 per kg in the official figures but in the market, it is being sold at Rs900 per kg.

Roti in the market is available at Rs20 and naan at Rs25 but the administration issued rates of Rs15 for roti and Rs20 for naan.

The price of pulses mostly available in the wholesale market is above Rs400 per kg but the district administration has fixed the price at Rs285 to Rs365 per kg. Rice is available at Rs300 per kg.

Prices of basic commodities have witnessed an increase with each passing day over the past few months prompting numerous complaints from displeased consumers.

In all markets and bazaars, the district administration has issued an official price list but it has failed to ensure its implementation.

'The increase in prices of essential food items has forced people to queue up to get wheat flour from free distribution stalls as it has become difficult to manage the kitchen budget,' said Mohammad...