Revenue officials get magisterial powers to enforce prices

The Rawalpindi district administration has given price magistrate powers to all officers of the revenue department, including tehsildars, and deputy tehsildars to control the prices of food items in markets during Ramazan.

Under the new powers, the officials will be able to issue challans to shopkeepers for overcharging customers, hoarding and adulteration. They will also impose a fine of up to Rs100,000 and send the violators to jail for 72 hours. In addition, they will have the powers to confiscate goods.

With granting of these powers to the revenue department officers, the total number of price magistrates in the district has increased to 60.

Assistant commissioners will also perform as magistrates. These powers have been given for one month which will automatically expire on the 30th of Ramazan.

Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Tahir Farooq has directed all price magistrates to continue operations against profiteers and hoarders and impose heavy fines on violators.

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Meanwhile, Commissioner Rawalpindi Noor-ul-Amin Mengal directed all deputy commissioners to curb the artificial increase in commodity prices during Ramadan.

Mengal instructed officials to ensure the implementation of government rates in Ramazan bazaars.

Mengal also surreptitiously visited various markets and reviewed the prices and quantity of food items at the Ramadan bazaars, utility stores, retailers, and wholesale bazaars. During the visit, the commissioner Rawalpindi division lined up for sugar, flour, and ghee, and inspected the attitude of the staff. Mengal expressed his anger over the artificial shortage being perpetuated by stores in the city.

around 33 Ramadan bazaars have been set up in four districts of the Rawalpindi division, including 33 fair price shops and 1,195 stalls to provide consumers with food items at below-market prices.

Of these bazaars, 16 Ramadan bazaars have been set up in Rawalpindi, six in Attock, six in Jhelum and five in Chakwal.

Commissioner Rawalpindi directed all the deputy commissioners, price control committees, and price magistrates to provide all possible facilities to the citizens at Ramadan bazaars, utility stores, and fair price shops.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 5^th, 2022.