RAWALPINDI - Terming the 'Ramazan Package' at Utility Stores (USs) insufficient, the citizens have complained that essential items are being sold at very high prices at these outlets. The Punjab government's relief package is also not enough for the poor segments of the society. Meanwhile, before the starting of the holy month of Ramazan, the prices of edibles have increased up to 40 per cent landing common man in trouble whereas the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) did not act upon the relief package, announced by the government for the holy month of Ramazan. During a survey conducted by The Nation here on Tuesday, the people, belonging to various walks of life complained that despite of the announcement of subsidy on 1300 basic need items, the USC were selling the items on higher prices with out any fear. Sardar Aftab, an architect, said that the quality of the available commodities at the outlets was not good. Batool, a housewife said that before the starting of Ramazan, the prices of edibles have shoot up to 40 per cent whereas a huge increase was also witnessed in the prices of edibles for the last two days in the city. Meanwhile, a number of housewives alleged that they were finding it very difficult to maintain their kitchen menu due to price hike for the last one year. It merits mentioning here that the prices of basic commodities of daily use have doubled during last one year. The price of sugar was Rs 30 per kg last year in open market whereas now it was raised up to Rs 33 per kg with an increase of Rs 3 per kg. Now baison is being sold at Rs 69 per kg with an increase of Rs 33, potatoes are being sold at Rs 30 per kg with an increase of Rs 9, tomatoes are being sold at Rs 40 per kg with an increase of Rs 10, open milk is available at Rs 36 per liter with an increase of Rs 8, yougrt (dahi) is being sold at Rs 40 with an increase of Rs 6, per mound wheat is being sold at Rs 780 with an increase of Rs 340 in its old price. Ginger (adrak) is available at Rs 68 per kg with an addition of Rs 24 in its old price, spinach (palik) is being sold at Rs 18 per bundle with an increase of Rs 6, ladyfingers (bhindees) are being sold at Rs 34 per kg against its old price Rs 28, karailas are being sold at Rs 40 per kg with an increase of Rs 6 during last one year, tinday are being sold at Rs 28 per kg with an increase of Rs 4, beens are being sold at Rs 44 with adding Rs 10 in its old price. Lemon are being sold at Rs 60 per kg with an increase of Rs 21 in its old rate, meethi is being sold at Rs 74 per bundle with an increase of Rs 24, peas are being sold in open market at Rs 68 against its old Rs 48, shimla mirch is being sold at Rs 70 per kg with an addition of Rs 12 in its older price. Apple (kala kaku) is available in the market at Rs 50 per kg with an increase of Rs 6, mangoes are being sold at Rs 70 per kg with an increase of Rs 24 and the prices of chicken also increased up to Rs 155 per kg with an increase of Rs 14 in its old rate in open market. While on the other hand, the condition of the general markets (bazaars at various parts of the city) is not satisfactory too. Despite, tall claims by the City District Government Rawalpindi (CDGR), various kitchen items are being sold by the shopkeepers pricesof their own choice as there was no check and balance to control the price hike. People belonging to different walks of life, while talking to The Nation on Tuesday, expressed their anger over the ever-increasing prices of daily use items and ill-mannered attitude being witness on the part of the city administration as well as vendors and shopkeepers. Customers are also being overcharged by the shopkeepers at Sunday Bazzars under the very nose of City District Government Rawalpindi. The onion, tomato and potatoes' prices, which are the need of every kitchen, suddenly shot up and are now beyond the approach of common man. Substandard vegetables, fruits and pulses are also being sold in the markets on high prices as compared to the CDGR's fixed rates. Atif Mehmood, a customer, was of the view that it is the duty of CDGR to take concrete measures for the provision of bsic commodities at low prices in Sunday Bazzars during the month of Ramazan, but unfortunately, CDGR had failed miserably to control prices in these bazaars, he lamented. Shahina Ikram, a housewife, remarked that vendors are not following the official rate list and selling items on their own rates, she added. They are also mistreating customers on selecting the thing against their will, she lamented. The customers appealed to the concerned authorities to take prompt action to facilitate common man during the holy month of Ramazan by ensuring availability of kitchen items on officially fixed rates.