Authorities Urged to Enforce Official Rates for Perishable Items

This week, the official rates of perishable items in Lahore have shown a mixed trend. While some vegetable prices have gone up, others have remained stable or even decreased. Unfortunately, consumers are not reaping the benefits of these changes as they are being charged higher prices due to a lack of oversight by the authorities. The failure of the district administration to enforce the official rates has resulted in this situation.

Despite a nominal decrease in poultry prices on paper, sellers are not complying with the official rates. For example, although the price of chicken meat was officially reduced by Rs34 per kg, it was being sold at a significantly higher price. Similarly, discrepancies between official rates and actual selling prices have been observed for vegetables like potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and garlic.

Various vegetables such as brinjal, bitter gourd, spinach, zucchini, and green chilies have witnessed price fluctuations, with some prices rising and others falling. The prices of fruits like lemons, pumpkins, mangoes, apples, bananas, pomegranates, strawberries, melons, grapes, watermelons, peaches, and apricots have also been impacted.

The inconsistency between official rates and actual selling prices is causing inconvenience for consumers, who are paying more than necessary for essential food items. It is imperative for the authorities to intervene and ensure that the official rates are being adhered to in order to shield consumers from price exploitation.

The disparity between official rates and actual selling prices of perishable items in Lahore is a concerning issue that is burdening consumers. It is essential for the authorities to take decisive action to enforce the official rates and protect consumers from unjust price hikes. By ensuring transparency and accountability in pricing, consumers can enjoy fair prices for essential food items, promoting a more equitable marketplace for all.