In a significant move, Karachi has taken a step to bring relief to consumers by enforcing official price regulations in the retail market. After the successful implementation of the official retail price for loose milk at Rs200 per litre in the city, the Commissioner of Karachi has released a comprehensive list of prices for various grocery items.
Official price rates, set by the government, have often disregarded by retailers in the past, with many failing to display the price lists in their shops.
Notably, the city administration has set the official rates for high-quality pulses, including Mash, Moong, Masoor, and gram, at Rs495, Rs242, Rs275, and Rs204 per kg, respectively. These official rates aim to counter the prevailing market rates, which were previously ranging from Rs520 to Rs580, Rs280 to Rs320, Rs300 to Rs360, and Rs220 to Rs260 per kg.
Additionally, the official prices for various varieties of basmati rice, such as kernel basmati export quality, kernel basmati No1, basmati 386, kernel basmati Sela No1, Irri 6, and Irri-9, set at Rs369, Rs341, Rs193, Rs286, Rs154, and Rs193 per kg, respectively. This marks a contrast against the retail rates, which were previously Rs400, Rs370, Rs250, Rs320, Rs170, and Rs220 per kg.
The official price list specifies that these rates may revised if necessary on November 15, 2023, with the revised list taking effect from November 16.
The Commissioner of Karachi also set retail prices for live broiler and its meat at Rs324 and Rs502 per kg, respectively, on October 27. These official rates provided relief to consumers, as market prices had previously ranged from Rs340 to Rs380 and Rs550 to Rs600 per kg.
On October 4, the official rate for mutton established at Rs1,540 per kg, though market prices continued to soar, with retailers selling mutton at Rs1,800 to Rs2,200 per kg.
Rates for various qualities of beef set on October 3, 2023. Beef boneless, beef with bones, veal (bachia) boneless, and with bones fixed at Rs795, Rs635, Rs950, and Rs800 per kg. However, beef meat without bones and with bones, as well as veal meat (bachia), were selling at inflated rates, further burdening consumers.
A survey of the markets shows that the Commissioner has successfully enforced the official rate of Rs200 per litre for loose milk since October 3, leading to a decrease in milk prices from the previous range of Rs220 to Rs230 per litre. While milk retailers had initially called for the enforcement of the official wholesale rate of Rs188 per litre, it is evident that the fear of substantial fines and legal action has pushed retailers to comply with official retail rates.
In the past, consumers consistently paid more than the official prices due to a lack of enforcement of official price lists and a lack of seriousness on the part of price regulators. However, with the recent enforcement of these official rates, consumers can finally expect relief in their day-to-day purchases.
