DCs told to show no leniency to profiteers during Ramazan

In view of vegetables and fruits being sold at rates much higher than those fixed by the Karachi commissioner's office, Commissioner Iftikhar Shallwani has directed the magistrates to clamp down against profiteers.

The magistrates have been deputed to control the prices of essential food items during Ramazan. According to a press statement issued by the commissioner office, the magistrates took action against profiteers in different districts of the city under the supervision of their respective deputy commissioners (DCs) on Thursday. Shallwani has asked all DCs to ensure that essential items are available to the consumers at prices fixed by his office. He has also directed the DCs to take stern action against profiteers and hoarders and forbidden them from showing any leniency.

Magistrates, including additional deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners and mukhtiarkars, monitored the prices of essential commodities in their jurisdictional areas and fined those violating the government’s official rates.

The prices of groceries, according to the commissioner office’s press statement, are fixed by the city administration and the prices of fruits and vegetables are fixed on a daily basis by the market committee in coordination with the assistant commissioner of Gulzar-e- Hijri.

According to the details issued by the commissioner office, Additional Commissioner Karachi-II Dr Waqas Roshan and Assistant Commissioner Head Quarter Syeda Jasiah Fatima along with Assistant Commissioner Landhi Muhammad Asim Abbasi visited various areas of the city to inquire about the prices of essential commodities.

They visited the Babar Market in Landhi and fined two general stores Rs8,000 for overcharging grocery items. Two vegetable vendors were also fined Rs2,000 at the Babar Marker for selling tomatoes and onions at rates higher than those set by the commissioner's office.

In addition to that, one spice vendor was also fined Rs1,000 for overcharging prices of spices of all sorts. The Grace Super Market, according to the press statement, was also fined Rs10,000 for selling grocery items mainly beans, sugar and flour, at higher rates.

As per the details shared by the commissioner's office, during the campaign against profiteers, Javed Dairy was fined Rs10,000 for selling milk at higher rates.

1,600 shopkeepers fined

The Sindh Bureau of Supply and Prices Department has fined 1,600 shopkeepers for overcharging customers and for not displaying the official price lists in the first six days of the holy month of Ramazan across the province.

Special Assistant to Sindh Chief Minister on Bureau of Supply and Prices Department Dr Khatu Mal on Thursday said that the officers of the department along with the price magistrates fined 1,600 shopkeepers and imposed fines of over Rs3 million in a crackdown against the profiteers.

Around 8,300 groceries shops of fruit, vegetables, chicken, meat and other edible items were checked during the anti-profiteering campaign, he added.

The special assistant said strict action would be taken against the profiteers, hoarders and shopkeepers for the sale of substandard quality items.

During the last 24 hours, a fine of Rs408,000 was imposed on 89 profiteers in Karachi, a fine of Rs. 200,000 was imposed on 300 profiteers in other districts of the province. Dr Mal said the complaint cell established under the department remained active from 9am till the iftar time. “Citizens can contact the complaint centre at 021-99244608 or email at bspadprices@gmail.com.”