Action against wheat smugglers ordered

Rawalpindi Commissioner Noorul Amin Mengal has directed the authorities concerned to take strict action against wheat smugglers.

According to a district administration spokesman, the administration in collaboration with police and a special branch, was carrying out operations and a special monitoring system had also been developed particularly for exit points of the Rawalpindi division to check wheat smuggling.

The officers concerned were directed to take all possible steps to control wheat smuggling, said the spokesman, adding that a comprehensive plan had been formulated to curb the smuggling of wheat. According to Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi, Tahir Farooq, the authorities were continuing the administrative measures to control the smuggling of wheat. He said that the administration had foiled a bid to smuggle 2,500 bags of wheat that were being illegally shipped out of the division the other day.

Display price lists

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rawalpindi, Tahir Farooq visited Haideri Chowk and Committee Chowk Ramazan Bazaars to review arrangements and checked the availability of sugar, wheat flour and other essential commodities.

According to a district administration spokesman, the official also checked the quality of fruits, vegetables and essential commodities and inspected the Agriculture Fair Price Shop besides checking the display of the rate lists at stalls.

The deputy commissioner also directed the stallholders to prominently display rate lists at each stall and instructed the officers concerned to ensure the cleanliness of the bazaar on a daily basis. The spokesman said that the district administration had set up 16 'Ramzan Sasta Bazaars' in Rawalpindi district to provide relief to the citizens.

Sasta Ramzan Bazaars were set up in Committee Chowk, Haideri Chowk, Khayaban Sir Syed, Kamran Market, Double Road Allama Iqbal Park, Gulzar Quaid, Adiala Road, Morgah, Chakri Road, Chohar Chowk, Chungi 22 and several other tehsils including Taxila, Kahuta, Kalar Syedan, Gujar Khan and Kotli Sattian.

Sugar, flour, vegetables, fruits, chicken, beef, mutton, gram flour, pulses, chickpeas, spices and several other products were available at economical prices, he said. The bazaars were set up on the directives of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rawalpindi Tahir Farooq to provide relief to the citizens during Ramazan, he added.

On Monday, Deputy Commissioner(DC) Tahir Farooq said that an effective mechanism was in place to monitor the prices of essential commodities to provide relief to the consumers during Ramazan.

According to the DC office spokesman, the DC said stern action would be taken against those shopkeepers who would be found involved in hoarding, profiteering and adulteration.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 13^th, 2022.