Traders reject official food prices

RAWALPINDI BUREAU —Taking notice of rising inflation, Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi Nadeem Nasir has fixed new official prices for pulses, rice, milk, meat, yoghurt and bread and issued a formal notification. However, the Karyana Merchants Association, Milkmen Union, Naanbai Association and Mutton and Beef Retailers Union have rejected the new rates, describing them as unrealistic, drawing-room prices.

They have challenged the deputy commissioner to identify wholesale markets and shops from where pulses, milk and meat are supplied at the notified prices. They said the rates belonged to the year 2000 and demanded that a meeting of the District Price Control Committee be convened immediately to fix new prices in line with prevailing market conditions and wholesale rates.

Otherwise, they warned, they would launch a shutter-down strike and protests. Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner has circulated the new price list among shopkeepers, wholesale dealers and relevant trade associations across the district. A stern warning has also been issued that shopkeepers who fail to display the list prominently or sell commodities at the notified rates will face challans, fines and registration of FIRs.

All price magistrates have also been directed to ensure implementation of the new rates. According to the new list, the price of new Basmati Super rice has been fixed at Rs240 per kilogram and old rice at Rs255 per kilogram, whereas the commodity is being sold in the open market at Rs300 to Rs400 per kilogram.

Irri rice has been fixed at Rs260 per kilogram. The official rate of large white chickpeas is Rs265 per kilogram, against the market price of Rs390 to Rs400. The price of small white chickpeas has been fixed at Rs223 per kilogram, while they are being sold for around Rs350 in the market. Black chickpeas have been fixed at Rs277 per kilogram but are available in the market for Rs350.

The official price of gram pulse is Rs260 per kilogram, compared with its market price of Rs350. Moong pulse has been fixed at Rs280 against the market rate of Rs360, while mash pulse has been fixed at Rs450 compared with the market price of Rs600 per kilogram. Masoor pulse has been fixed at Rs224 per kilogram, while its market price is Rs300.

Ground red chilli has been fixed at Rs236 per kilogram, whereas it is being sold for Rs450 in the market. The price of ghee will remain according to the rate printed on its packaging. Milk has been fixed at Rs220 per litre against the market price of Rs250, while yoghurt has been fixed at Rs240 per kilogram compared with its market price of Rs280.

The official price of beef has been fixed at Rs1,200 per kilogram, while it is being sold for Rs1,500 to Rs1,700 in the market. Mutton has been fixed at Rs2,200 per kilogram against the prevailing market price of Rs2,700.