Skyrocketing food prices compound public hardship

A domestic gas cylinder is reportedly being sold for Rs6,000, while chicken is available at Rs650 per kilogram, eggs at Rs280 per dozen, milk at Rs260 per litre and yoghurt at Rs280 per kg. Mutton is being sold at Rs2,700 per kg, beef at Rs1,500 and boneless beef at Rs1,700 per kg.

A roti made from red bran-mixed flour costs Rs20, while one made from white flour is priced at Rs30. A paratha costs Rs60 and a full cup of tea Rs100. Among pulses and other staples, white chickpeas are selling for Rs430 per kg, gram pulse for Rs380, and mash pulse for Rs580. Red flour is priced at Rs180 per kg, white flour at Rs200, sugar at Rs150 and gram flour (besan) at Rs400. Vegetable prices have also remained high, with potatoes selling at Rs50 per kg, onions at Rs200, peas at Rs400, capsicum at Rs300, garlic at Rs250 to Rs400, ginger at Rs300 to Rs400, bitter gourd at Rs200, okra at Rs200, cauliflower at Rs150, local carrots at Rs150, cucumbers at Rs100, radishes at Rs70 and lemons at Rs150 per kg.

Fruit prices are similarly steep, with apples selling for Rs300 to Rs400 per kg, Kandhari pomegranates at Rs600, Sundarkhani grapes at Rs700, local round and Toffee grapes at Rs500, papaya at Rs300 and Japanese persimmons at Rs300 per kg.

Bananas are being sold at Rs130 to Rs150 per dozen, sweet oranges and kinnow at Rs200 per dozen, while coconuts cost Rs500 each.

Despite the presence of the District Price Control Committee and 30 price control magistrates, consumers continue to face widespread violations of official price lists, while prolonged gas outages and soaring alternative fuel costs have further strained household budgets. Residents have complained that repeated violations of official price lists have gone unchecked, questioning the effectiveness of the district administration's price-monitoring mechanism.