Despite repeated claims of application of statute, the province's price control mechanism has largely failed to translate into assistance support
An illustrative image related to: Price control failure persists, highlighting key aspects of the story. | Image source: The Express Tribune
Price control failure persists
Despite repeated claims of application of statute, the province's price control mechanism has largely failed to translate into assistance support for consumers, as essential food items continue to be sold well above officially notified rates in senior officer markets across the metro.
With need remaining elevated during Eid holidays, a widening gap between official and retail rates has exposed structural weaknesses in application of statute, leaving residents increasingly frustrated amid rising price-rise.
Market surveys across the metro show that most commodities from poultry and vegetables to fruits were either unavailable at official rates or sold at significantly higher prices, undermining the effectiveness of the weekly price lists.
This week, live chicken prices were officially fixed at Rs394–408 per kg; however, the commodity remained largely unavailable at these rates. Chicken meat, fixed at Rs591 per kg, was sold between Rs660 and Rs700, while boneless chicken crossed Rs1,000 per kg in several neighbourhoods.
A similar pattern was observed in vegetable markets. Soft-skin new potatoes were fixed at Rs18–20 per kg but sold at Rs30–40, while tomatoes, officially priced at Rs70–75, were available at Rs120–160 per kg. Onion, fixed at Rs70–75, continued to sell at Rs100–130 per kg.
The gap widened for essential kitchen inputs. Local garlic, fixed at Rs167–175 per kg, retailed at Rs220–250, while the Chinese variety reached Rs600 per kg against the official rate of Rs475–495. Ginger, fixed at Rs262–275, was sold at Rs400–450 per kg.
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