Crackdown launched against hoarders ahead of Ramazan

25,958 raids were conducted in Multan division

MULTAN:

Commissioner Dr Irshad Ahmed has ordered a crackdown against hoarding and profiteering mafia during the month of Ramazan.

He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting to review price control on Wednesday.

He ordered to establish Ramazan bazaar near metro plaza Multan Cantt to facilitate the citizens.

A 10-kg bag of flour will be available at Rs450 in Ramazan bazaars. Ghee will be available at Rs10 less per kg, eggs Rs6 per dozen, chicken at Rs12 per kg less and sugar Rs80 per kg.

He directed the deputy commissioners to increase the number of counters as required in the Ramazan bazaars to avoid long queues of people.

The supply and demand of flour, sugar, ghee and counters would also be monitored especially.

Dr Irshad Ahmed said a special subsidy has been given on 13 items in fair price shops in Ramazan bazaars so that relief could be provided to citizens in real meaning.

Talking about the wheat procurement campaign, the commissioner said that the weights and measuring tools would be checked at the wheat procurement centres and those involved in less measuring would be dealt with iron hands.

He said that each wheat grain grown with the hard work of the farmer will be purchased as 12 PR and 36 flag wheat procurement centres have been set up across the division.

Giving briefing the meeting, Deputy Commissioners and concerned officers said that show-cause notices were served to 10 flour mills, the quota of two mills suspended 2 quotas were suspended and a Rs1,05,000 fine imposed.

As many as 115 price control magistrates conducted 25,958 raids in the division and got lodged 47 FIRs, 177 persons were arrested and fines of over Rs4.4 million were imposed.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 31^st, 2022.