LAHORE: Fruit and vegetable vendors in Lahore continue to ignore the official price list, selling produce at significantly higher rates and adding to consumers’ burden amid rising inflation.
According to market reports, shopkeepers are openly charging above government-approved prices while authorities have yet to effectively enforce the official rates.
Onions were being sold at Rs200 per kilogram against the official price of Rs100, while Iranian tomatoes were priced at Rs300 instead of Rs180. Local garlic was selling for Rs310 per kilogram compared with the official rate of Rs140, and ginger was available at Rs450 instead of Rs330.
Similarly, sugar-free potatoes were selling at Rs80 per kilogram against the notified price of Rs35, capsicum at Rs350 instead of Rs300, peas at Rs500 instead of Rs280, and okra at Rs200 instead of Rs120.
Among other vegetables, eggplants were being sold between Rs80 and Rs160 per kilogram against the official rate of Rs70, local round gourds at Rs160 instead of Rs120, and lemons at Rs220 instead of Rs130.
Fruit prices also exceeded official rates. Chikoo was selling at Rs280 per kilogram instead of Rs200, white apricots at Rs380 instead of Rs320, bananas at Rs250 per dozen instead of Rs215, Anwar Ratol mangoes at Rs400–410 instead of Rs315, Chaunsa mangoes at Rs350 instead of Rs300, Dusehri mangoes at Rs300 instead of Rs270, pears at Rs400 instead of Rs230, and local jamun at Rs250 instead of Rs190 per kilogram.
Consumers have expressed concern over the continued violation of official price lists, calling for stricter enforcement against overcharging by retailers.
