News
Monday, August 15, 2011
Profit mafia sees Ramazan as an opportunity
* Government remains silent spectator over skyrocketing inflation
By Shahid Farooq
KARACHI: Profit mafia has been seeing Ramazan and other religious events for last several years as an opportunity to double their profits instead of providing relief to the masses whereas authorities often criticesed for supporting the mafia seem helpless to control the inflation bomb.
Similar to last several years, market giants increased the prices of food items including dates, gram flour, and other commodities which are frequently used in Ramazan, while the government also maintained its record of failing in provision of relief to consumers, leaving lower and middle class falling prey to inflation.
Through a market review, the scribe learned that high quality fruits have disappeared from the markets of lower middle class localities since poor people could not afford the precious edibles. Dates, which were being sold at Rs 140 per kilogramme two days before Ramazan are now being sold at Rs 270 per kg.
a particular quality of sugar, which cost Rs 64 per kg in open retail market, is now being sold at Rs 72 with an increase of Rs 8. Flourmills have also raised flour price. A bag of 10 kg flour previously worth Rs 290 is now being sold for Rs 320. Ghee of a famous brand worth Rs 155 per kg is being sold at Rs 165 per kg. Cooking oil, which was being sold between Rs 140 to Rs 150, is now available between the range of Rs 155 to Rs 165.
Gram flour, which is used in traditional snacks, is being sold at Rs 80 per kg instead of Rs 64. Standard quality tea currently being sold at Rs 555 per kg, was being sold for Rs 500 per kg a few days ago.
On the other hand, dairy products could also not help but join the club. Although the bulk sellers of dairy products decreased milk and other dairy items’ prices but there was no relief to the common man as retailers increased Rs 4 to 6 on each litre of milk. A segment of dairy sector has reportedly started to supply milk to tetra packaging companies in order to maintain the supply and demand of milk for consumers.
The retail price of chickpeas has increased to Rs 170 a kg from Rs 120 per kg, similarly the price of black chickpeas has also increased to Rs 100 per kg. Rice prices also increased as the rates of Super Kernel Basmati rice surged to Rs 125 per kg as compared to Rs 110 per before Ramazan.
In the footsteps of grocers, fruit venders are also overlooking the price lists given by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC). The rate of bananas’ category 2 according to KMC was supposed to be Rs 34 per dozen but the same are being sold for Rs 60 per dozen, watermelon is being sold at Rs 40 instead of Rs 23, mangoes (Chonsa) rate according to the list is Rs 34 per kg but it is being sold at Rs 70. Dates are also being sold at Rs 200 to 270 per kg instead of Rs 100 as per the list.
When asked, several retailers said that they were selling commodities on high prices because they purchase it on already hiked rates. A fruit vender at Baldia Town said that it is the ‘middleman’ who was making money. When middlemen (wholesalers) were asked, they pinned the blame on both venders and investors. In the whole blame game, government, venders, investors and middlemen all seem to spectate the increasing miseries of people even in the holy month of Ramazan.
Consumers Foundation President Huma Bukhari held the government responsible for the price hike. She said that the government authorities are quite capable to curb the illogical and illegal inflation but they are deliberately neglecting the issue.
She was of the view that implementation of laws is the only way to tackle the situation. She said that the venders and other market elements involved in selling commodities on inflated rates, should not only be fined on the spot but also put behind bars without any discrimination.
While talking about the role of the foundation she informed that surveillance committees comprised of volunteers have been formed. These committees visit markets for inspection and the foundation insists relevant authorities to take action on the basis of such inspection.
Commissioner Karachi Muhammad Hussain Syed was not available for comments despite several attempts as he kept his cell phone off.
It is pertinent to mention here that inflation on religious and public occasions is only the tradition of our beloved country. Even the countries of third world including Bangladesh manage to decrease the rate of inflation during such type of events.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk