Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: After the announcement of the budget, the prices of fruits, vegetables and other edibles has shot up as the hoarders have created an artificial shortage of edible items just before the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan.

White gram and spices are not available in the Utility Stores of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, whereas the franchised owners of the USC have complained that they are receiving less weight packets of sugar, oils and grains from the Utility Stores’s ware house. In the Utility Stores the purchase of other items is made mandatory for purchasing five kilograms of sugar. The staff deputed at these stores said in this regard that this condition has been kept so that people may not sell sugar purchased from the Utility Stores in the market , Due to the reduced prices of white gram and sugar, the shopkeepers also turned to the Utility Stores Green gram is also out of stock in these stores.

The Utility Stores situated in Islamabad have been supplied with ample quantity of edible items due to which the rush of the people has increased.

The Daily Times conducted a survey on Sunday that just before Ramadan the prices of fruits and vegetable is on the rise in the twin cities. Due to the rise in prices of potatoes, onion in the whole sale market, the shopkeepers have also raised the price of these items. Similarly the rates of other fruits and vegetables have also shot up. A few days ago white apple was available in the market at Rs 60 to Rs 90 per kilogram and now it has increased – ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 150.

Likewise the different qualities of mangoes which were available at Rs 80 to Rs 150 have now reached Rs 150 to Rs 200. The price of bananas has now shot up to Rs 200 per dozen, whereas the rate of watermelon and honey dew melon has also increased by Rs 10 per kg. The price of sugar has also increased as it has shot up to Rs 63 per kilogram in the open market. Likewise the cost of white gram has increased from Rs 180 to Rs 200 per kg.

When the Daily Times contacted Regional Manager Islamabad USC, Khawaja Ahmed, he said that the edible items were provided to all the stores of Islamabad and as and when any demand arises, the management will meet the same forthwith He said that the prices as well as the quality was being watched at the stores and if a complaint came against any company, the administration would take immediate action against it. According to him if the people buy items from the Utility Stores with patience there is no reason for the items to fall short of supply.