Police forcibly close makeshift markets at midday

LAHORE:No coordination among the law implementation institutions caused troubles and panic among the buyers and sellers as the deputy commissioner Lahore permitted establishment of weekly makeshift markets in the city while the police forcefully closed them by midday by sending police force headed by the SHO of the areas concerned.

The management of these makeshift markets said that they received instructions from the DC office to establish these markets as per routine and ensure the establishment of the makeshift markets in order to avoid panic among the general public due to ongoing spread of coronavirus pandemic.

The Punjab government also allowed opening of the fruits, vegetables, grocery, pharmacies, super stores etc sells edibles through an order while rest of the businesses remained closed. However, despite clear orders by the Punjab government and instructions from the DC to establish these markets, the police forcefully closed these markets exposing the poor coordination among the law enforcing institutions of the Punjab government.

During the visit to Shadman makeshift markets, around 12:00 noon, SHO of Shadman Police Station along with the officials reached the market and asked to shutdown the makeshift market. The staff deputed there argued that the DC instructed them to ensure opening of the bazaar; however, the SHO kept insisting showing a written official order of opening of the makeshift market to close it. Almost, more than 45 minutes of debate between the district government officials and police officials, the market was closed forcefully. However, closing of the makeshift market adversely affected the vendors who were not allowed selling the perishable and asked to bring them back along with.

The vendors talking to this correspondent told that due to uncertainty after coronavirus issue they were not willing to come to makeshift market. However, the administration of these markets called them in the morning and told the bazaars would work in routine and instructed them to bring maximum fruits and vegetables. Number of sellers even did not open majority of their sellable while the bazaars were closed forcibly by police.

Further, overcharging was witnessed across the country as the district government was busy in preparing expected partial lockdown due to coronavirus while the sellers got the opportunity to fleece the public. On the other side, the people were also buying in panic due to expected lockdown.

The price of potato soft skin new A-grade was fixed at Rs33 to 35 per kg, and potato B-grade fixed at Rs31 to 33 per kg, mixed sold at Rs40 to 50 per kg. The price of onion A-grade was reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at Rs52 to 55 per kg, B-grade at Rs47 to 50 per kg, mixed sold at Rs60 to 70 per kg. The price of tomato A-grade was further gained by Rs7 per kg, fixed at Rs42 to 45 per kg, B-grade at Rs37 to 40 per kg mixed sold at Rs40 to 50 per kg.

The price of garlic local was fixed at Rs145 to 150 per kg, sold at Rs180 to 200 per kg, garlic Chinese was fixed at Rs290 to 300 per kg, sold at Rs320 to 360 per kg. Ginger Chinese was reduced by Rs15 per kg, fixed at Rs320 to 330 per kg, not sold, ginger Thai was gained by Rs15 per kg, fixed at Rs290 to 300 per kg, sold at Rs360 per kg.

Brinjal price was reduced by Rs17 per kg, fixed at Rs33 to 35 per kg and sold at Rs50 per kg. Cucumber farm was reduced by Rs4 per kg, fixed at Rs28 to 30 per kg, sold at Rs40 per kg. Bitter gourd was gained by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs150 to 155 per kg, not available on pricing issue.

Spinach local was fixed at Rs23 to 25 per kg, and spinach farm gained by Re one per kg, fixed at Rs22 to 24 per kg, both sold at Rs50 per kg. Zucchini long was reduced by Rs5 per kg, fixed at 18 to 20 per kg, zucchini round was fixed at Rs26 to 28 per kg, both sold at Rs40 per kg. The price of lemon Chinese was fixed at Rs58 to 60 per kg, sold at Rs100 per kg. Cauliflower was reduced by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs23 to 25 per kg, sold at Rs40 per kg, and cabbage fixed at Rs23 to 25 per kg, sold at Rs60 per kg.

Pumpkin was reduced by Rs18 per kg, fixed at Rs38 to 40 per kg, sold at Rs50 per kg. Ladyfinger was gained by Rs20 per kg, fixed at Rs160 to 165 per kg, sold at Rs200 per kg. Arum was fixed at Rs95 to 100 per kg, not sold. Green chili price was fixed at Rs105 to 140 per kg, sold at Rs200 per kg.

Capsicum price was gained by Rs20 per kg, fixed 95 to 100 per kg, sold at Rs140 per kg. The price of pea was increased by Rs3 per kg, fixed at Rs31 to 33 per kg, mixed sold at Rs40 per kg. Carrot local was fixed at Rs24 to 26 per kg, not sold on account of wrong pricing issue. Coriander was fixed at Rs40 to 45 per kg, sold at Rs100 per kg. Beans were sold at Rs200 per kg while no rates were issued. Methi was reduced by Rs8 per kg fixed at Rs23 to 25 per kg, not sold on wrong pricing issue.

Turnip was unchanged at Rs14 to 16 per kg, sold at Rs20 per kg. Mustard leaves gained by Rs8 per kg, fixed at Rs28 to 30 per kg, not sold. Radish fixed at Rs16 to 18 per kg, sold at Rs30 per kg. Beetroot was fixed at Rs35 to 40 per kg, sold at Rs50 per kg.

Gram green was fixed at Rs63 to 65 per kg, sold at Rs150 to 160 per kg. The price of different variety of apples was fixed at Rs63 to 185 per kg, B-grade sold at Rs90 to 150 per kg and A-grade was not available there.

The price of Banana A-category fixed at Rs150 to 155 per dozen, not available and B-category fixed at Rs85 to 90 per dozen, sold at Rs90 to 100 per dozen. Papaya was fixed at Rs135 to 140 per kg, sold at Rs160 per kg.

Pomegranate Bedana was fixed at Rs330 to 335 per kg, not available, price for Pomegranate danadar was fixed at Rs220 to 230 per kg, sold at Rs300 per kg, and Pomegranate khandari was sold at Rs175 to 230 per kg, not sold. Grapes Iranian was fixed at Rs215 to 220 per kg, not sold. Guava was fixed at Rs53 to 55 per kg, sold at Rs100 per kg. Sweet potato price was fixed at Rs40 to 42 per kg, sold at Rs60 per kg.

Grape-fruit was fixed at Rs18 to 20 per piece, lower quality sold at Rs20 per piece. Musami was fixed at Rs100 to 120 per dozen, lower grade sold at Rs150 per dozen and A-grade not available. Citrus fruit special was fixed at Rs240 to 245 per dozen, not available, Citrus fruit A-grade was fixed at Rs120 to 150 per dozen, sold at Rs160 to 180 per dozen, B-grade was fixed at Rs55 to 105 per dozen sold at Rs130 per dozen.

Malta (Sweet) was fixed at Rs100 to 120 per dozen, sold at Rs150 per dozen. Strawberry was fixed at Rs175 to 180 per kg, not available, B-grade was fixed at Rs72 to 74 per kg, sold at Rs180 per kg. Cheku (Sapodilla) was fixed at Rs115 to 120 per kg, not sold.

Dates Iranian fixed at Rs215 to 220 per kg, sold at Rs200 to 500 per kg.