Food prices rise ahead of budget approval

RAWALPINDI: Negative effects of the budget of federation and province have already started showing up prior to their approval.

Increase in the number of taxes like general sales tax has resulted in increase in price of the food items, essential goods, bakery products, ghee, flour, cooking oil and other things. Weekly markets on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday are also inflation markets.

Milk is being sold at the rate of Rs 250-260 per liter, yogurt Rs 280 per kg, mutton Rs 2,700 per kg, beef Rs 1,500 per kg, eggs Rs 210 per dozen, ghee Rs 550 per kg, cooking oil Rs 570 per liter, flour Rs 170 and sugar Rs 160 per kg.

White chickpeas are being sold at Rs 420 per kg, gram pulse Rs 380, mash pulse Rs 580-600 and red kidney beans Rs 500 per kg.

Potatoes are available at Rs 40 per kg, onions at Rs 60-70, peas Rs 150, bitter gourd Rs 130, local lemon Rs 300, ginger Rs 300, garlic Rs 250, cauliflower Rs 100 and green chillies Rs 100 per kg.

Bananas are being sold at Rs 200-250 per dozen, mangoes Rs 250-300, watermelon Rs 50 per kg kilogram and melon and garma at Rs150 per kg.