With Eid round the corner, prices of essential items have also risen. From dry fruits to clothes and accessories are being sold at twice the rate as compared to what they were two weeks ago.
It is well-known that sheer korma is the signature sweet dish on the occasion of Eid ul Fitar. The cost of ingredients used to prepare the dish has risen considerably. Seviyan, the core ingredient now cost Rs 120 per kg; 0.25 kg of almonds is Rs 140; 1kg of resins is Rs 160 and dates are being sold at Rs 200 per kg.
Faizan Ahmed, a dry fruit seller at Afzal Gunj said, “The prices are fixed by the market association. This is the time when we could make good profits.”
Shehzad Khan, a seviyan seller said, “There is a price rise due to inflation and vendors like us have to face a lot of issues. The seviyan here is Rs 120 per kg. However, the customers will take it since its Eid.”
Umair Siddiq, a resin seller said, “Look, the rent for setting up the stalls in the market is also a factor in the pricing of items. Since the rent depends on the timing and phase of Ramzan, the prices of these items are also increased.”
When this reporter visited Old city two weeks ago, the prices of the dry fruits were half of what they currently are. In spite of the increase in price most customers thronged the market.
Sumayya Ahmed, a customer said, “The prices may be soaring at the moment but one can’t hold back since it’s about celebrating Eid.”
Most vendors weren’t ready to negotiate the prices stating that this was the best time to earn substantially. Apart from the dry fruits, prices of clothes and accessories have also risen. Most stalls at the Charminar displayed fixed rate cards ranging from Rs 100-1600.
Khursheed, a ladies’ footwear vendor said, “The sandals here range from Rs 650-900. There has been a good amount of sale in the past week.”
However there were a few customers, who couldn’t purchase the items they were looking for due to the prices. Majeed, a customer said, “I was looking for clothes for my children but haven’t found something which fits the budget. Really hoping to buy them something for the festival.”
