Ramazan bazaars: Price control magistrates gear up to tackle rates

LAHORE: In order to control profiteering and surge in prices of essential commodities in the holy month of Ramazan, the district administration has increased the number of price control magistrates in the provincial capital.

Lahore Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sumair Ahmad Syed revealed this while chairing a meeting on Thursday.

He said the number of price control magistrates has been increased from existing 65 to 115 in the metropolis to discourage profiteering and hoarding of essential commodities.

“These price control magistrates will also enforce the Ehtram-e-Ramazan Ordinance, 1981 and take stern action against hotels and restaurants selling food products during fasting hours,” he said.

The DC said duty rosters were ready and different police stations have been allotted to these magistrates.



He directed all price control magistrates to send profiteers to jail without discrimination and keep a check on the quality of the products. A control room was also being established in Town Hall to monitor the performance of price control magistrates and early resolution of public complaints.

Earlier, Lahore DC paid a surprise visit to Shadman and Ghalib Market Ramazan bazaars and checked arrangement as district administration had set up makeshift markets in most areas with a day’s delay. He checked quality of the products and prices at market committees stalls. However, except market committee stalls there was hardly any vendor or shoppers available in these makeshift markets.

The district government has established Ramazan bazaars in Model Town Link Road, Makka Colony, Barkat Market, Bab-e-Pakistan, Galib Market, Model Bazaar Township, Model Bazaar, Sher Shah Colony, Nishter Colony, Ferozpur Road, Khana Nu, Main Ferozpur Road, Begum Kot Chowk, Dehli Gate, Elahi Bukhsh Road, Wahdat Colony, Gulshan-e-Ravi Moon Market, Nadeem Shaheed Road, Shadman Wapda Grid Station, Government Girls Degree Collage Islampura, Karim Park Gol Ground, Model Bazaar Mian Plaza and others.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26^th, 2017.