Shopkeepers Are Misusing Chicken Price Deregulation Law

Despite the introduction of a new pricing mechanism for poultry, inconsistencies in chicken meat prices persist throughout the city.

The updated system mandates the district administration to regulate only the price of live poultry, while retailers remain free to determine the cost of processed chicken meat. This partial oversight has led to significant price variations. Although official price notifications are issued regularly, authorities have failed to ensure the consistent availability of live birds in the markets, enabling sellers to impose inflated meat prices at will.

This week, the government reduced the official price of live chicken by Rs3 per kilogram, setting it between Rs354 and Rs368. However, live poultry was scarcely available, and in its place, chicken meat was being sold for Rs500 to Rs650 per kilogram. Boneless chicken fetched even higher prices, ranging between Rs850 and Rs950 across different neighborhoods of the provincial capital.

Similar pricing irregularities were evident in the beef and mutton markets. Beef was sold at Rs1,400 per kilogram and mutton at Rs2,600—far above the officially notified rates of Rs800 and Rs1,600, respectively.

A glaring disparity was also observed in fruit and vegetable pricing. A-grade soft-skin potatoes, officially priced at Rs45–Rs50 per kilogram, were sold for Rs80–Rs100. Even lower-grade potatoes exceeded their set rates. A-grade onions, fixed at Rs35–Rs40, were priced in markets at up to Rs100. Tomatoes, officially valued at Rs35–Rs40, reached Rs120.

Garlic and ginger prices saw sharp surges as well. Locally grown garlic, despite being capped at Rs152–Rs160, was being sold between Rs150 and Rs250. Chinese garlic, with an official ceiling of Rs345, was sold at Rs500. Thai and Chinese ginger varieties, fixed at Rs400–Rs420, reached up to Rs600 in some markets.

Other vegetables also recorded inflated prices. Cucumbers, meant to be sold at Rs52–Rs55 per kilogram, were available for as much as Rs100, while the local variety was being sold at Rs150. Brinjal, fixed at Rs47–Rs50, was priced at Rs120. Bitter gourd, officially reduced to Rs66–Rs70, costs between Rs100 and Rs140. Spinach, capped at Rs23–Rs25, was being sold at nearly double the rate. Zucchini, lemon, capsicum, cauliflower, and cabbage followed similar trends, all exceeding official prices.

Fruit vendors were no exception. Apples, which had an official rate of Rs210 to Rs360 per kilogram, were sold at up to Rs800. Premium-quality bananas, officially listed at Rs215–Rs240 per dozen, cost between Rs350 and Rs400. Guavas, fixed at Rs115–Rs160, were selling at Rs250 per kilogram.

Despite the availability of official price lists issued by the district administration, enforcement remains lax, allowing unchecked profiteering to continue across the city’s markets.