LAHORE, Oct 13: The purchase of sacrificial animals and their feed has disturbed the kitchen budget of the inflationstruck citizens who are already under the burden of skyrocketing prices of the essential commodities.

A survey of the sale points of sacrificial animals` feed (fodder, Dana, Javi, etc.) in the city has revealed that the animal feed is making the highest price record while the town administrations and the city district government officials seem to be playing the role of silent spectators. At present, fodder, Dana and Javi, routine foods of animals, are being sold at Rs30 to 40, Rs75 to 85 and Rs60 to 70 per kg respectively in the market, making it difficult for people to feed their sacrificial animals as Eidul Azha is still days away.

`After the first major challenge of buying the animal, buying fodder and feed for it has become another major task for me. The prices of fodder and other feed show to feed the animals is tougher than feeding one`s family, Akbar, who had come to buy fodder near Khaarrak Stop, Multan Road, said while talking to this reporter. He further saidthat he was spending about Rs300 daily on feeding his goat since he bought it from Shahpur Kanjran animals` sale point. `The amount, Rs300, is sufficient to cook food for a small lower-middle class family`s meal,` he added.

Talking to Dawn, fodder vendor Salamat complained of the high prices of fodder and Dana in the wholesale market.

`I am forced to sell these items on high rates after I myself purchase them at exorbitant prices,` he argued, adding that it was duty of the government to control the wholesale markets rather than blaming the vendors in the open markets.

A spokesman for the Lahore DCO claimed that the CDGL was ensuring provision of the fodder and feed at sale/purchase points on cheaper rates.

`Though it is very dif ficult to control the open market with reference to sale/purchase of animals` feed, we are trying to come up to expectation of the people, he added.

PUBLIC RUSH: The city`s sale/purchase points of sacrificial animals attracted a huge rush of the people as Eidul Azha drew near. The Shahpur Kanjran (Multan Road), the city`s biggest salepoint was reported to be full of both buyers and sellers on Sunday. All roads leading to the Punjab capital`s eight sale purchase points were almost choked. The traffic police were seen helpless as the traffic remained stuck for hours. The major traffic congestions were witnessed at Mohlanwal to Thokar (near Shahpur Kanjran) and the Outfall Road (near Saggian sale/purchase point).

BAZAARS: A monitoring team of the City District Government of Lahore on Sunday cancelled stall licences of six vendors for overcharging and selling substandard commodities in Sunday bazaars. The team,led by the district officer (Monitoring), visited Wahdat Colony, Iqbal Town and Model Town Sunday bazaars for checking prices. It imposed Rs10,000 fine on vendors for overcharging and an FIR was lodged against a vendor, Babar Iqbal.

The Lahore DCO claimed to have provided potato, onion, tomato and other commodities on cheaper rates in Sunday bazaars and open markets by purchasing these items directly from the wholesale markets without involving the middlemen (commission agents).