Residents of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad are facing exorbitant increase in prices of vegetables, as almost all vegetable are brought from areas of Central Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa that are affected badly by recent floods in the country. The vegetables and fruits, brought from other parts of the country, could not reach the city due to floods.One-kilogram tomatoes are selling for Rs120 against its price of Rs40 before floods. Similarly, ‘Shimla Mirch’ is selling for Rs80 against Rs40, lady finger Rs70 against Rs35, bitter gourd (karela) Rs70 against Rs40, green chilli Rs80 against Rs40, lemon Rs80 against Rs40, ‘Tori’ Rs80 against Rs40, ‘Bengan’ Rs60 against Rs30 and ‘Arvi’ Rs70 against Rs40 per kilogram.
Muhammad Sajid Awan, a vegetable wholesaler at ‘Sabzi Mandi’, told ‘The News’ that prices of vegetables have increased because the commodities could not be brought here due to floods throughout the country. All kinds of vegetable are brought from the areas that badly affected by floods in Central Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
Executive District Officer (EDO) Revenue Muhammad Zubair Khan said that floods are the main reason behind increase in prices of vegetables in twin cities. Majority of vegetables, being brought from other areas, could not reach local ‘Mandis’ because of floods. Prices of vegetables would come down soon, he said adding price magistrates are continuously visiting markets.
The residents of the twin cities told ‘The News’ that vegetable sellers are taking full advantage of the floods and selling vegetables at higher rates on this excuse. They alleged that price magistrates are not performing their duties therefore public is compelled to buy vegetables on higher rates.
Muhammad Touqir, who was buying vegetables from ‘Sabzi Mandi’, said that as Ramazan is coming near, the shopkeepers have increased the prices.