Falak Sher
MARDAN
With the start of the holy month of Ramadan, the prices of chicken, meat and other necessary edible items showed unprecedented increase in the local markets while the local administration is playing a role of a silent spectator in this connection.
Visiting various bazaars and markets in the city, it was observed that hoarders and profiteers have started exploiting customers with both hands whereas the government machinery does not take any notice of the grave situation.
In the Bank road, Bigut Gunj, Gaju Khan, Par Hoti, Shaheedano Bazaar, Charsadda Chowk, Shamshi road, Malakand chowk, Adda bazaar it was observed that people were taking less interest in buying chickens and meat products due to its soaring prices.
The district administration had fixed the rate of cow milk at Rs 130 per kg and buffalo milk at 170 per kg while it is selling at the rate of Rs 200 to 250 per kilogram. Likewise, the rate of beef was fixed at Rs700/kg while it is being sold at Rs800 to 900/kg.
While boneless beef is sealing from Rs 1100 to Rs 1200 per kg. In the majority of the bazaar and markets water mixed and unhealthy meat is being sold. The yoghurt is being sold at Rs200 to Rs 250 per kg while the district administration has fixed its price Rs180 per kg. The prices of vegetables, fruits and other commodities have also been increased.
Majority of the shopkeepers have made artificial price hike in the district. People have shown concern over the increased prices of essential commodities like milk, yoghurt and mutton as local administration has failed to control rates and artificial shortage of vegetables in the city.
Noor Muhammad, a government employee, while buying commodities at Bank Road said that chicken and meat were now beyond the reach of middle class people due to their soaring prices.
He said that he used to buy chicken poultry once a week but now in his limited income it was difficult to afford even once in a month. He termed the district administration responsible for the unchecked prices fixed by poultry main dealers and big shopkeepers.
He also alleged that most of the officials of the district administration have ‘behind the curtain’ contacts, as they take daily from almost all main dealers and venders. He alleged that the district administration officials also contacts with the traders union office bearers and due to these contacts the district administration official isn’t ready to take action against the artificial price hike in the district.
The people demanded the chief minister Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to take action in this connection and provide relief to more than 26 lakh population of the district in the holy month of Ramadan instead of to provide relief to few people of the district.
