KOHISTAN: A shutter-down strike was observed by nanbais and hotel owners across Kohistan for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, against the district administration’s decision to revise rates of food items.
Upon receiving complaints from the public about overcharging by local hoteliers and bakers, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Zafarul Islam reduced the rates on Monday.
The traders had been earlier charging customers Rs15 for a cup of tea, Rs130 for pulao, Rs100 for beef curry and Rs10 for a 140-gramme chapatti. However, as per the new prices, a chapatti weighing 170 gramme would cost Rs10, a cup of tea Rs12, a plate of pulao and beef curry Rs100 and Rs90 respectively.
DC Zafarul Islam had called a meeting of local traders, lawyers and journalists and issued the revised list on Monday but local traders and bakers rejected the new rates, terming them a burden on their budget and announced a strike for an indefinite period.
When approached for comment, DC Islam told The Express Tribune the strike was only being observed in Komila Bazaar and that too partially. “Other eatery owners and bakers are doing business in line with new rates,” he said.
According to Islam, he decided to reduce the prices of food items after the downward revision in petroleum rates. He said the new rates were fixed in consultation with civil society and traders but some of them later refused to accept the prices.
“The district administration cannot be blackmailed and the writ of law will be ensured at every cost because I am supposed to protect the rights of the public and check fleecing,” said the DC.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 27th, 2014.
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