LAHORE - The unavailability of sugar at almost all Sasta Ramazan Bazaars and the utility stores has further increased the woes of masses, as they have failed to purchase subsidised sugar at Rs55 to Rs68 per kg, which is being sold at Rs78 per kg in the open market. Sugar was available at some of the Ramazan Bazaars till noon but that was offered to the customers not more than one kg. Same is the case with the utility stores where very little stock was left for sale, which was being provided to the selected buyers in little quantity. A visit to some Ramazan Bazaars including Wahdat Road, Islampura and Shadman revealed that limited stock of sugar had created difficulty for the management of Sasta Ramazan Bazaars to cater to the needs of increasing number of customers. The consumers waiting before the decorated stalls were constantly being denied the commodity on the plea of short supply by the Sasta Ramazan Bazaars administration. Several visitors complained that they had been coming to Ramazan Bazaars to buy sugar, but they had always to return empty handed. It is to be noted that the wholesale price of sugar increased by Rs175 per 50kg bag to reach Rs3,500 in the provincial capital. Consequently, the retail rate of the sweetener jumped to Rs78 per kg from Rs75, though the shopkeepers were already selling it for Rs78 per kg at retail level, market sources said. President Sugar Dealers Association Asghar Ali But confirmed that the price of sugar had hiked by Rs175 per 50 kilogram bag in wholesale market. He said that sugar mills had increased the commodity price, therefore, wholesalers passed on the increase to the retailers. On the other side, the rates of fruits and vegetables were being issued by the market committee on daily basis but it was never implemented. No one bothered to check the prices after issuing the rate list. The rates of majority of items were at higher side during noon till Iftar time. Controlled price chicken meat was also not available in the majority of Ramzan Bazaars. The chicken meat sellers said that their all stock was sold till 12 noon. Rate of onion was increased by Rs2 per kg and fixed at Rs22 per kg while at green channel stalls it was sold at Rs18 per kg. Tomato price was reduced by Rs3 per kg and fixed at Rs20 to 25 per kg but it was being sold for Rs40.