ISLAMABAD: With the advent of the holy month of Ramadan in June and the upcoming budget of the fiscal year 2016-17 the prices of edible items have increased manifold. According to a notification issued by Utility Stores Corporation (USC), the prices of various pulses have been increased from Rs. 4 to Rs.40. As per revised prices, the price of Daal Chana (gram) per kilogram is Rs. 33, Daal Maash (washed) five rupees, white gram Rs. 40, black gram Rs. 30, Daal Masoor Rs. 13 and Masoor whole prices have increased to 25 rupees per kg. The new price of Daal Chana (gram) has soared up to Rs. 153, Maash washed Rs. 280, white gram Rs. 155, black gram Rs. 140, Daal Masoor Rs 155 and Masoor whole prices Rs. 145. As per data issued by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics shows that the prices of Daal Maash and Daal Chana have soared up to 60.80 per cent and 79.75 per cent percent respectively on an yearly basis. On the other hand, prices of vegetables and fruits have also increased. As per the price list issued by the local administration, the price of potato is Rs. 15 per kg, onion Rs. 35, lemon Rs. 240 per kg, dates Rs. 160 kg, pomegranate Rs. 200, apple Rs. 100, and banana Rs. 100 per dozen. The prime minister has taken notice of escalation in the prices of pulses and has shown his strong displeasure. He has directed that the notification of the price hike should be immediately withdrawn and no further increase in prices of essential commodities at Utility Stores should be made without his approval. Pakistan Bureau of Statistics has released the weekly prices of various commodities on Friday. “At the same time prices of 11 items including tomatoes, garlic, chicken farm, broiler, live, onions, bananas, eggs, wheat, flour, Bag, LPG cylinder while prices of 11 kg potatoes and georgette average quality, (SN) and average prices of following 29 items remained constant during the week”, the PBS data added. The commuters of the weekly Jumma bazaars have expressed their concern over the soaring prices of edibles prior to the holy month of Ramzan and the budget of the fiscal year 2016-17. They demanded the authorities concerned to keep a check and balance on the prices of commodities so that people could breathe a sigh of relief.