Overcharging continues at fruit, vegetable markets.

Byline: Faizan Ali Warraich

LAHORE -- Profiteers on Sunday looted buyers by selling fruit and vegetables on inflated prices in the local markets.

Despite heavy government machinery and 108 price control magistrates present in the field, overcharging in the city remained uncontrolled.

On Sunday, potato was sold at Rs40 to Rs50 per kg in the open market against the fixed price of Rs17, onion was sold at Rs60 against the fixed price of Rs35 in the open market, banana was sold at Rs180 to Rs200 in the open market against the fixed price of Rs 124 and lemon was sold at Rs300 against the fixed price of Rs237.

Garlic price was fixed at Rs195to Rs201 per kg and it was sold at Rs250 per kg. Ladyfinger's official price was fixed at Rs40 to Rs44 per kg but it was available in the open market at Rs60 to 70 per kg. Apricot rate was fixed at Rs150 to Rs156 per kg and it was sold at Rs200 per kg in local market. Falsa (Grewia asiatica) price was fixed at Rs200 to Rs206 but was available in open market at Rs250 per kg.

On the other hand, Ramazan bazaars, which have been converted into Eid bazaars, are providing citizens a sigh of relief. Bangles, clothes and mehndi designs are available at these Eid bazaars. In the last ten days of holy month of Ramazan, citizens finally able to get 2kg sugar on subsidized rate from the Agri fair Price Shops in Ramazan Bazaars.

Across the province, 309 Ramazan bazaars have been converted into the Eid bazaars and around 2,000 Ramazan Dastar Khawans are being arranged for faithful.

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