Ghor residents complain about price-hike amid joblessness

FEROZKOH CITY (Pajhwok): Residents of western Ghor province say the prices of essential food items, including vegetables, have registered a significant increase during the past one month amid joblessness.

During the past one month, the price of a 24.5 kilogram bag of rice increased from 2,200afs to 2,300afs, the price of a tin of ten-liter cooking oil doubled from 800afs to 1,600afs and the rate of a 49-kilogram bag of sugar soared from 1,700afs to 2,800afs, they said.

The prices of other essential commodities have also gone up by 10afs to 100afs per each item.

Khair Mohammad, the bread winner of his six member family, lives in a rented house and takes odd jobs. He complained about the hike in commodities’ prices.

Khair Mohammad told Pajhwok Afghan News the prices of primary food items gradually increased during the previous weeks and residents could not afford them.

“I earn about 300afs daily some days, but sometimes I return home empty-handed, we have a tough life”, Mohammad said.

He added: “A bag of rice was sold for 2,200 afs in the past while its current rate is 3,000 afs, a 10-liter tin of cooking oil price was 1,200afs, it is now 1,600 afs and a kilo of tomato was sold for about 25 and 30afs, it is 100 afs now, and a kilo of fresh onion rate has increased from 25afs 60afs, the poor cannot afford these iteMohammad Omar, another consumer, also complained about the surge in the prices of primary food items. He believed most residents were unable to purchase such items.

“The people are struggling with tough economic issues, they cannot buy anything, a 50-kilogram wheat bag was sold for 1,700 afs in the past, but it is now sold for 2,800afs, the prices of cooking oil and rice have similarly skyrocketed, the price of a bag of chocolates has jumped from 130afs to 200 afs, all the prices have doubled,” Omar said.

Shopkeepers admit the significant hike in prices, but blame it on high transportation costs, the appreciation of dollar against the afghani and high custom duties on commercial goods.

Mohammad Ali, a shopkeeper in Ferozkoh city, said: “You know the Ghor-Herat and Ghor-Kabul highways are not asphalted and truck drivers in winter charge higher freight charges, we have to sell the items at a higher price in order to avoid losses”.

The drivers previously charged 15afs per each seven kilos of weight, but now they charged 25afs or 28afs per each seven kilo weight, he said, adding that they had no choice but to increase prices.

Besides the prices of primary items, the prices of fuel have also increased and residents want the government to control the situation.

However, officials say they do not have a price list for food items, but they would try to prevent shopkeepers artificially increasing prices.

Mir Ahmad Shoaib, media office heat at the municipality, told Pajhwok Afghan News: “We, in cooperation with relevant organizations, are trying to prepare a price list for primary food items to prevent the suppliers from charging exorbitant rates”.

"We already have a price list for fuel, we would prevent any extortion and law breakers will face the law,” Shoaib said.

aw/ma