Nine alleged profiteers arrested

Administration slaps Rs0.5m worth of fine on 22 shopkeepers

KARACHI:

Campaign initiated by the city administration on the directive of Commissioner Karachi Muhammad Iqbal Memon against the profiteers on overcharging is being tried to be made effective for which Commissioner Karachi has issued directives to the deputy commissioners to be remained in the field themselves to take action against the profiteers and to supervise the campaign in their districts so as to prices fixed by the city administration is enforced strictly.

The details of the reports submitted by the deputy commissioners to the Commissioner on Sunday show the various districts have taken strict action strict against the profiteers and have fined without showing any leniency.

On Sunday on the directive of the Commissioner all deputy commissioners along with the concerned officers remained in field and cheked the prices and supervised the action taken by their officers against profiteers on overcharging As per reports submitted to the commissioners 9 profiteers were arrested eight in the district of east and one in the district of south .

In total 222 profiteers were fined Rs five lacs The deputy commissioner of District Malir was reported to have imposed fines totalling Rs27,000 on 18 profiteers.

In the district central concerned magistrates fined Rs 123000 on 14 profiteers. District east administration took strict action against the violators of the government prices in which the officers authorized the arrested eight profiteers in Ferazabad subdivision of the district for overcharging of prices of milk, chicken , fruits and grocery. According to the detailed district East 126 profiteers were fined Rs28,3000. Officials of the District West administration slapped fines worth Rs10,000 on 11 profiteers.

The officials of Keamari imposed fine of 6 thousand on four profiteers while in district South, a vegetable seller was arrested and Rs300,000 worth of fine was imposed on 42 profiteers.

According to the report of district Korangi seven profiteers were found overcharging so they were fined of Rs37,500.

Commissioner Memon has asked the deputy commissioners to continue the campaign against the profiteers and ensure the efforts being carried by the city administration to provide the relief to the people specially during the month of Ramazan is successful.

He said prices fixed by the City administration should be enforced strictly so as to people get essential food items on fixed prices.