Staff Reporter
Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has failed to implement the approved rate list by Islamabad Market Committee (IMC) of fruits and vegetables as the federal capital’s shopkeepers are charging extra prices on every item.
During visits to various fruit and vegetable shops in I-8, I-10, G-7, G-6, G-8, G-9, G-10, G-11 and other sectors of Islamabad, the vendors were found violating the rate lists provided by the IMC on daily basis.
The residents urged the administration to implement the rate list in true letter and spirit and penalize the violators to curb the menace of self-imposed inflation by the fruits and vegetables vendors.
The administration has fixed the price of Apples at Rs 125 per kg but the shopkeepers charging Rs 200-250 per kg. The rate of Pakistani Banana on the list was Rs 72 per dozen but the market price was about Rs 120.
Similarly Persimmon price was Rs 82 per kg but the market rates was around Rs130, Grapes Sundarkhai rate was Rs 170 per kg while the vendors charging Rs 250, Pomegenrate price was Rs 165 per kg while the market rate was Rs 220 per kg.
Vegetables were also being sold at exorbitant prices. According to the IMC approved rate list, Onion price was Rs 100 per kg while its market price was Rs 72, Tomato was Rs 80 per kg while its market price was Rs 60, Lemon price was Rs 130 per kg while its market price was Rs 104 per kg, Peas are Rs 180 per kg while it was sold at Rs 260.
Shahmeer Hussain, a government servant who was purchasing vegetables from a shop in G-9 Markaz, said that shopkeepers would not even listen to if their attention is drawn towards difference in prices written on the IMC approved rate list.
He said that low income person cannot even think to purchase fruits as the rates of fruits and vegetables were so high.
When contacted, an official in ICT administration said that committees headed by a magistrate have been formed in Islamabad to conduct surprise visits to different sectors and check prices of the commodities.
Meanwhile, Islamabad Market Committee has announced price list of vegetables and fruits for the markets of the federal capital and asked the people to lodge complaints against the profiteers and hoarders.
