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Essentials' prices

in Ramazan show

unusual stability

ISLAMABAD: In a sharp contrast to the past trends, the Ramazan this year exhibited an unusual stability in prices of various commodities, specially in the items of daily-use.

Prices of different items including ghee, chicken, eggs, dates, sugar, gram powder (baisen) and even fruits either declined or, at best, remained stable.

Apart from the government's efforts, the cooperation from the businessmen and a distinctive awareness demonstrated by the consumers to build a pressure against any raise, contributed to keep the price hike at bay.

For past many years, there has been an explicit trend of price-escalation, specially in items of daily-use, at the start of the Ramazan by the unscrupulous elements.

However, this time around, the government made conscious efforts to ensure supply of essential commodities and check any price-hike.

Another important step, by the government, was to eliminate adulteration during Ramazan for which various complaints cells were set-up.

Consequently, there was an unusual stability in prices-in certain cases prices were on lower side while stability on the other.

"If not decline, a definitive stability in prices was witnessed during Ramazan this year," said Javed Jabbar, Adviser to the Chief Executive on National Affairs, Information and Media Development.

"Various steps taken by the present government to control price-hike during Ramazan showed positive results," said Shafqat Mahmood, Punjab Provincial Minister for Information, Culture and Youth Affairs.

The Minister said, members of the Cabinet played a very effective and important role in coordinating the working of Price Control Board at divisional, district and tehsil levels.

The Flour Mills Association reduced the prices of 20 kg bag of atta, whereas the government with the cooperation of owners of flour mills, provided 20-kg bag of atta at the rate of Rs 130, instead of Rs 151 in Ramazan bazaars.

During a survey of local markets here, the reactions of shopkeepers drew a clear line between the price-trends in Ramazan this year over the past years.

Prices of chicken and eggs, which normally increase in Winter season, and was feared to go sky-rocketing in Ramazan, in fact recorded decrease.

"The prices of chicken, which went as high as Rs 50 to 55 per kg, weeks before Ramazan, in fact dropped to as low as Rs 38 and those of eggs also came down substantially to Rs 22 per dozens," said Mrs Rizwana a school teacher.

The credit of price stability also goes to the consumers, who demonstrated an uncanny consciousness towards any price build-up.ÑAPP