Badghis residents irked by soaring essential items prices

QALA-I-NAW (Pajhwok): Some residents in northwestern Badghis province have asked the acting government to reduce the prices of essential items and take action against businessmen and shopkeepers who charged above the normal price.

They said the despite unprecedented improved value of Afghani against US dollars the rates of essential items have not reduced.

It is pertinent to mention that today (Sunday) at 11:00 am one US dollar was accounted for 67.60 afs.

Ibrahim, one of the Badghis residents, told Pajhwok Afghan News: “Most items are purchased in consideration with the value of dollar but still despite depreciation of dollar against Afghani there was no change in the rates of essential items.”

He blamed government for failing to control prices but still urged them to stop inflation in the province.

Ibrahim said: “It is known to all the people of the society that the dollar has fallen against the Afghani currency, but unfortunately when we look at the market, the market is not controlled, those who are responsible and are at the head of the government departments do not control the market to make it clear to the businessmen. If the dollar falls, you should also reduce the prices.”

Abdul Ghafar, another resident of Badghis, had similar views and complaint against soaring rates of essential items.

He expected the relevant institutions to take steps against soaring prices of essential items.

“Dollar has depreciated now, but there is no change in the prices of food and other essential items, we want the government to control prices as the dollar depreciated now,” he said.

Some shopkeepers in Qalat-i-Naw, the provincial capital, said they purchased goods from businessmen at high price so they should sold them accordingly.

Syed Usman, one of the shopkeepers in Qala-i-Naw, said they purchased all goods from businessmen at a high rate.

He said at the same time as the price of the dollar decreased against the Afghani currency, the purchase of goods also increased in dollar terms.

He said they never violated normal prices and ensured justice.

We are not the first hand businessmen and we take little profit and sold them in the market,” he said.

Nazar Mohammad Wasiq, the Qala-i-Naw Mayor, said: “Badghis province imports all its goods from Herat and there is no control by the officials in that province. We have a committee that includes the municipality and several other departments, and we always monitor and see the invoices of the shopkeepers. If he sells the goods at a high price, he will be punished accordingly.”

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