Tuesday May 30, 2017
Kabul (BNA) A number of Afghan senators in an official session of the upper house asked Afghan businessmen to at least make the prices reasonable for the poverty battered citizens, during the holy month of Ramadan. A female senator, Najiba Hussaini told that the prices of foodstuff rise during the holy month of Ramadan, while in other Muslim countries, the prices fall, a move considered in deference to the holy fasting days. “For the sake of Allah, decrease the prices,” pleaded the senator who expressed regret over the poor economic situation of the Afghans, while in other Muslim countries the prices down when the holy month arrives. Another senator, Muhayuddin Munsif also blamed businessmen for raising the prices of the primary foodstuffs and not paying attention to the poor situation of the needy citizens.
He called it an act of torturing the poor and destitute people by those merchants increasing the prices during the holy month of Ramadan and the related organs’ failure to control. Lack of price control and promotion of mafia market system are from the main reasons behind increase in the prices that face the people with challenges during the holy fasting days. A Kabul citizen, Nawnehal said Kabul market was full of foodstuff, but during Ramadan, the dealers redouble even triple the prices, while there are many citizens can’t afford. “I can’t buy all my daily need for breaking-fast and early-fast, as my salaries are not enough to pay for,” said Nawnehal who joined Abdullah asking the government to control trespass of the market’s overstep in foodstuff deal and asked the rich-men to help the needy during Ramadan so as to help the culture promote in the country.
But, Mohammad Zaman, a shopkeeper in Dehmazang, an area in southeastern Kabul city said: “We purchase foodstuff from the wholesalers in high prices and have to sell in a price to gain a reasonable benefit.” He said shopkeepers shouldn’t be blamed for the hike of prices, but the big traders should be taken responsible for what are happening in the market and the hike of prices, unaffordable to the citizens. However, the ministry of commerce has said that those vending foodstuffs with high prices would legally be treated, but no indication has been still seen in reducing the prices. The government should have control to the market, not in a manner to violate the free market system, but rather to prevent offers beyond the costumers’ economic afford.
Shukria Kohistani
