A survey, which was independently conducted by a private newspaper, a business registrar, revealed a decrease in the prices of the main kitchen elements, especially vegetables, compared to the previous week. However, the survey also highlighted excessive charging and continuous gaps in enforcing official price regulations.
Sugar prices in the wholesale market decreased from 7000 rupees to 6,800 rupees per bag of 50 kg, with retail rates stabilized at 150 rupees per kilogram. The eggs witnessed a significant decrease, as wholesale prices fell from 6,500 rupees to 6000 rupees per carton, up to retail prices to 230-250 rupees per ten, a decrease from 260-270 rupees.
Vegetable prices have seen a sharp decrease. Onions fell from 75-100 rupees to 60-90 per kilogram in retail markets, while tomatoes fell from 75-100 rupees to 50-75 per kilogram. Philosophy prices decreased from 150-170 rupees to 120-130 rupees per kilogram, and pumpkin witnessed a decrease from 70-100 rupees to 50-70 per kilogram. However, ginger prices rose from 320-350 to 350-370 rupees per kilogram, which reflects fluctuation in some elements.
Stable prices were observed in chicken, lamb, and beef, with chicken at 15700 rupees per 40 kg in the wholesale market and retail chicken meat at 700 rupees per kilogram. Mutal meat remained at 200 rupees per kilogram, and beef at 1500 rupees per kilogram.
Retailers are still not complied with the display of official price lists an important problem. The contradictions between the prices of the market committee and the retail prices were observed. For example, onions were priced to 99-140 rupees per kilogram by the DC Commissioner (DC) but it was trade for 120-160 rupees per kilogram. Likewise, tomatoes were officially priced at 185 rupees per kilogram, but they were sold for 200-250 rupees.
Traders have high costs to fuel, electricity and gas increases, claiming that these factors added up to 20 % to their operating expenses. They highlighted the need for regular consultation with merchant unions to put realistic price covers and urged the government to accurately impose price controls.
Despite the low prices, the survey stressed the need for better supervision and enforcement to protect consumers from profit and ensure compliance with official price regulations.