Vegetable prices up after freight transport suspension

MANSEHRA: Vegetable prices almost doubled in local markets on Monday because of the suspension of freight transport.

“Although vegetable prices have been high for the last couple of weeks, they surged significantly as trucks and pickup vehicles carrying tomatoes and other agricultural products could not reach destinations owing to traffic suspension at main arteries,” a local fruit and vegetable shop owner said.

The District Price and Control Committee is led by the deputy commissioner. It includes representatives of the Food Department and Tehsil Municipal Administration that sets fruit and vegetable prices daily.

However, vendors and shopkeepers have been receiving nearly double the prices fixed by the committee.The committee fixed the price of potatoes at Rs 120 per kg, but being sold at Rs 180 per kg.

The garlic is being sold at Rs 700 per kg instead of Rs 650 per kg, ladyfinger at Rs 200 per kg instead of Rs 160 per kg, and the prices of other vegetables have increased by Rs 50 to Rs 80 per kg.“None of the shopkeepers or vendors follows the price list. I paid Rs 240 per kg for tomatoes while the committee set the price at Rs 160 per kg,” Azhar Shah, a buyer said.

He said who would ensure the government’s writ, as traders consistently sell fruits and vegetables at prices much higher than those fixed by the district administration.“I understand that vendors blame the disruption of freight transport on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s protest in the federal capital, but this has become a routine, and we are constantly burdened by self-created inflation,” he said.Buyers urged the government to ensure the prices set by the committee were enforced in letter and spirit and violators were proceeded against under the relevant laws.