Residents of Kabul expressed concern over the rise in food prices during the holy month of Ramadan.

The residents said that the price cap issued by the Kabul municipality is not in effect in the markets.

“I came here today. I purchased flour. The price cap said 1770 Afs and I paid 1830 Afs,” said Amir Mohammad, a resident of Kabul.

“If the price caps are given to the shopkeepers and are being monitored, it will be a good step,” said Gul Agha, a resident of Kabul.

The shopkeepers meanwhile said that they are purchasing the commodities at a high price and thus they are obliged to sell at high prices.

They said the high tariffs are the main reason for the increase in prices.

“They gave us price caps in the first month and they should control that price cap until the end of the month,” said Hassibullah, a shopkeeper.

“The price cap from the Kabul municipality to us includes the price of flour, cooking oil, rice and beans, said Sayed Ihsan Agha, a shopkeeper.

However, the Kabul municipality said that a special commission has been established to control the price cap in the markets.

According to the Kabul municipality, the shops that violated the price cap have been closed.

“Whenever individuals are shopping, the teams will take actions if the bills show that the materials are sold at higher prices,” said Nematullah Barakzai, an official of the Kabul municipality.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC) said that traders have been provided with opportunities to increase investment in the country.

“Those commodities that had price drops in the markets--this is due to an increase in imports and the reduction of tariffs,” said Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, a spokesman for the MoIC.

According to some residents, the prices of food materials increase every Ramadan, which poses severe challenges to vulnerable people.