The Rawalpindi district administration has announced new rates for grocery items, milk, yogurt and meat and issued the official notification.

However, the Grocers Merchant Association, Butchers Union, and Fresh Milk Association have rejected the new rates, stating that they cannot sell expensive items at lower prices.

They have demanded that Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema disclose the wholesale market where such low-cost items are available.

The announcement of the new rates has sparked a fresh dispute between the associations and the district administration.

Four days after a meeting of the district price control committee, new rates were issued, and immediate enforcement was ordered.

A warning was issued that those selling overpriced goods would face legal action.

According to the notification, white chickpeas are priced at Rs300 per kg, black chickpeas at Rs280 per kg, gram flour at Rs300 per kg, split chickpeas at Rs295, green gram beans at Rs380, red lentils at Rs260, black gram at Rs435, and basmati rice at Rs260.

Loose milk will be sold at Rs190 per litre, yogurt at Rs200 per kg, bread at Rs14, mutton at Rs1,600 per kg, and beef at Rs800 per kg.

The associations have rejected these rates, stating that the rates agreed upon in the meeting were not implemented and are unacceptable.

The Grocers Merchant Association President Saleem Pervez Butt said that they cannot sell expensive pulses and rice at lower prices.

He added that these rates are three years old, with pulses, rice, milk, and yogurt priced much higher at that time.

Butchers Union Vice President Naeem Qureshi said that mutton and beef prices are currently much higher than the new rates.

The traders’ leaders stated that they would not sell any items at these rates, and if fines were imposed, they would stop selling those products.

They demanded that new rates in line with the market be issued immediately or face protests.

The district administration has declared that the new rates are to be implemented immediately, and violators will face heavy fines and could even face jail time for up to 72 hours.

Capital sets up six Ramazan bazaars

The district administration in the federal capital has established six affordable Ramazan bazaars and 17 fair-price shops to provide food items at lower prices.

The Ramazan bazaars have been set up in Sector G-6, H-9, G-11, I-8, Bhara Kahu, and Pakistan Town.

The fair-price shops will offer 15 items of vegetables and fruits at lower prices.

These shops are located in G-9, I-8, F-8, and E-11, with additional ones in F-10, F-11, G-13, Barah Kaho, Bari Imam, Bani Gala, Pakistan Town, F-7, and F-6. Furthermore, affordable shops have also been set up in G-6, G-7, Lehtrar Road, and I-11/4.

DC Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Minhas has instructed all assistant commissioners to visit the stalls regularly.