October 28, 2003	Tuesday	Ramazan 1, 1424

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BADIN, Oct 27: With the arrival of Ramazan, the tendency of profiteering, hoarding and adulteration among merchants and dealers appears to be irresistible and to one’s surprise, it goes unchecked, at least in Badin.

The residents have expressed concern over the increase in prices of commodities.

The price of 16kg vegetable ghee tin has been increased by Rs100 and of 40kg Kaantta Mark flour bag by Rs60.

A week ago, ghee was sold for Rs820 per 16kg tin and flour for Rs400 per 40kg bag. After the rise in the prices, retailers have started charging Rs5 and Rs2 more on one kilogramme of ghee and flour respectively.

Besides this, eggs, bread and milk are also being sold at higher prices. The rates of pulses have also shot up by one rupee per kilogramme.

Shopkeepers have also not displayed price lists of basic commodities.

However, the authorities have taken no measure to check hoarding and the increase in the prices of commodities.

It was learnt that Nazims and revenue officials were not taking action against those charging higher rates for essential goods as they have not been given magisterial powers.

POOR PLANNING: District Nazim Kamal Khan Chang has said a huge amount is being spent on education but no improvement has been witnessed in the sector due to poor planning.

He was speaking at a seminar on “Sindh Multi-Indicator Cluster-2003” held at the district council hall here on Monday.

DCO Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah said the Multi-Indicator Cluster was conducting a survey on various economic indicators which he claimed would bring about socio-economic development in the district.

DEMO: The Farmers’ Organization on Sunday staged a rally in Matli town against sugar mill owners for not paying outstanding dues and quality premium to sugar cane growers.

Farmers from various areas of the district gathered at the Marvi chowk and took out a procession which culminated outside the Matli press club.

Former MNA Abdul Sattar Sarewal, Karim Dino Siyal, Mohammad Halepoto, Dr Bashir Nizamani, Ibrahim Kamboh, Seth Daryano Mal and a large number of Nazims and Naib Nazims of the district participated in the rally.

Speaking on the occasion, growers warned, if their demands were not accepted, they would block roads and stop paying taxes to the government.

Speaking at a press conference at the press club, they demanded increase in the rate of sugar cane upto Rs60 per maund.