Consumers being charged higher than official rates

LAHORE:In the absence of the writ of the government different prices of the same essential items are being implemented and charged in the market. Violations of laws regarding displaying of prices, official rates, weight, manufacturing and expiry dates on products are being committed openly, The News has learnt.

Consumers’ rights are being violated in connivance with the government authorities while Chief Minister Usman Buzdar is busy only issuing verbal orders against the profiteers. Interestingly, the industry department responsible for issuing and controlling prices is just issuing guidelines and holding the deputy commissioners responsible for the violation of the laws. On the other hand, Deputy Commissioner Lahore is aware of all these violations and admitted that different rates are being charged against the official rates. The government has failed to take action against the violators.

There are four different rates for some same essential items in the city. The price notified by the Punjab government could not be implemented, exposing incompetence or connivance of the officers concerned with the profiteers. Prices of super stores could not be controlled. Whenever the government tries to control the super stores, they go on strike. Interestingly, the rates of Utility Store Corporations (USC), super stores and Akbari Mandi are higher than the government notified rates which exposed flaw in price fixation mechanism or the government efforts to check inflation. TheUtility Store Corporations (USC) governed by the federal ministry for industries and production has its own rates which are also higher than the official notified rates of the government.

USC announced the Ramzan relief package according to which the price of gram pulse is fixed at Rs 160 per kg, white gram Rs 125 per kg, Masoor pulse Rs 130 per kg, Mash pulse Rs 235 per kg, sugar at Rs 68 per kg, rice broken Rs 73 per kg, basin (gram powder) Rs 140 per kg, Basmati rice Rs 135 per kg, Ghee 175 per kg, cooking oil Rs 195 per liter, dates Rs 160 per kg.

The prices of the USC are higher than the notified price by the deputy commissioner Lahore. The DC notified rates are gram pulse (special) Rs 128 per kg, bareek Rs 118 per kg, white gram Rs 108 per kg, Masoor pulse (bareek) Rs 152 per kg, imported at Rs 104 per kg, Mash pulse washed imported Rs 198 per kg, Mash pulse unwashed imported Rs 168 per kg, Moong pulse unwashed Rs 202 per kg, basmati rice Rs 128 per kg, dates 215-260 per kg.

On the other hand in Akbari Mandi, the rates were also higher than the DC rates and the DC is aware of the things but does not take action. In Akbari Mandi, gram pulse is being sold at Rs 130-150 per kg, White gram Rs 100 to 120 per kg, Masoor pulse bareek Rs 160-220 per kg, Masoor pulse imported 110 to 125 per kg, Mash pulse washed Rs 250 to 320 per kg, Mash pulse unwashed Rs 220 to 250 per kg, Moong pulse unwashed 220 to 240 per kg, Moong pulse washed Rs 280 per kg, sugar Rs 79 per kg, black gram 125 to 150 per kg, Basin (gram powder) Rs 140 to 160 per kg. The rates charged by super stores in Lahore are gram pulse (special) Rs 200 per kg, bareek Rs 130 to 140 per kg, Masoor pulse bareek Rs 240-260 per kg, Masoor pulse imported 130 to 160 per kg, black gram Rs 160 to 180 per kg, white gram 130 to 150 per kg, sugar 83 per kg, Basin (gram powder) 140 to 160 per kg, Moog pulse washed 340 to 360 per kg, Moong pulse unwashed Rs 260 to 280 per kg, Mash pulse washed Rs 340 to 360 per kg, Mash pulse unwashed Rs 260 to 280 per kg, Rice basmati Rs 150 to 190 per kg.

Deputy Commissioner Danish Afzal admitted that the official price rates were not being implemented and there was difference between the market rates and official rates. “We were waiting for Faisalabad management which has revised the rates and we will hold the price review meeting tomorrow (today) to revise the price list”,’ he said.

On the issue of violation of laws by the super stores for not mentioning the price, weight, manufacturing and expiry dates on the packaging of the products, especially of pulses and spices, the DC admitted that the law was being violated.

Interestingly, no action was taken over the violation of this law, but the DC said the administration will also enforce the law in this regard.

Secretary Industry Punjab, Zafar Iqbal, said it was the responsibility of the deputy commissioners of the respective districts to implement official rates of essential edibles. He said the Industry department under the law issues clear instructions to the deputy commissioner to enforce and implement the official rate list which once notified in consultation with all the stakeholders. “The industry department gives policy guidelines. The policy is clear that no one should be overcharged,” he said and added checking of printing of prices, weight, manufacturing and expiry dates on products is also responsibility of the deputy commissioners and they must ensure protection of the consumers.

Secretary General Lahore Super Stores Association (LSA) Imran Saleemi refused to comment saying the association chairman decided not to speak on any of pricing and other related issues.