Strict action against profiteers, 300 sent behind bars

Rawalpindi:On the orders of Deputy Commissioner, Rawalpindi Hasan Waqar Cheema 300 profiteers and hoarders have been arrested for looting public in open market. The Deputy Commissioner also warned government officers, performing duty as price control magistrates, and issued ‘show cause’ notices on their poor performance.

The profiteers and hoarders were arrested from different areas were and imposed fine of Rs4,792,000 on Monday and shifted to Adiala Jail. Due to this crackdown, prices of all food items, vegetables and fruits slightly reduced. Banana which was being sold at Rs250 to Rs300 now selling at Rs200 and Rs180, good quality apple which was at Rs250 now selling at Rs200, melon was at Rs200 now at Rs150. Onion was being sold at Rs300 to Rs330 but now is at Rs180 to Rs250, potato which was at Rs80 now is at Rs50, tomato was at Rs180 now is being sold at Rs100 to Rs120 per kilogram.

Similarly, green chili which was at Rs500 now is at Rs200 to Rs300 per kilogram, garlic was at Rs700 now it is selling at Rs500 per kilogram here on Monday.

The profiteers and hoarders were facing fear of Deputy Commissioner, Rawalpindi and selling maximum food items and fruits in old prices. These prices were also unaffordable for public but it will come down further if Deputy Commissioner’s ‘Stick’ continuously visited in open markets.

The Deputy Commissioner, Hasan Waqar Cheema said “I will never bear any kind of price violation at any cost. I have directed all price control magistrates to adopt all ways to control inflation in open market shops.” I have increased the numbers of Price Control Magistrates to take strict action against profiteers and hoarders, he said.

He also said “Nobody can violate the price-list which I have issued otherwise profiteers and hoarders will be arrested and send to Adiala Jail. I am also conducting surprise visits to markets and will never spare profiteers. I am personally monitoring Price Control Magistrates that who is visiting to markets and was not,” he said. The poor segments of society strongly appreciated the positive role of the administration and appealed to Deputy Commissioner to continue this crackdown till ‘Chand Raat’.