Sasta Bazaars fail to provide relief

Despite the fact that district administration has set up four sasta bazaars and 35 fair price shops in the federal capital, prices of edible items have not come down as yet. The rate list prescribed for rural areas of the capital fixes price of potatoes at Rs 28 per kilo but shopkeepers sold potatoes at Rs 35 on the first day of Ramazan. Similarly, tomatoes should be sold at Rs 90 per kilo but shopkeepers sold the same at Rs 130 per kilo. Lady Finger should be sold at Rs 50 per kg but was available at Rs 70 per kg to shoppers throughout the capital. The rate list fixes prices of apples at Rs 52 but vendors charged Rs 80 from the consumers. According to the list, mangoes should be sold at Rs 60 but shopkeepers charged much more as compared to what has been fixed by the list. Similarly, grapes should be sold at Rs 100 per kg but shopkeepers sold grapes at Rs 150.

Meanwhile, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration during a crackdown on profiteers imposed Rs 28,900 fine on 60 profiteers on Thursday for overcharging and not displaying the rate list of fruits and vegetables in the markets. According to spokesman for ICT administration, 14 price checking teams headed by the assistant commissioners and magistrates raided the city and rural areas markets and imposed fines on shopkeepers involved in overcharging and not displaying the rate list of food items including fruits and vegetables.