19 October 2004	Tuesday	04 Ramazan 1425

KARACHI, Oct 18: The city government's drive to control prices has been marred by half-hearted attempts by certain officials authorized to monitor rates, impose fines and arrest profiteers.

In this sprawling metropolis where traders are indulging in rampant profiteering, only 12 butchers and some milk-sellers were sent behind the bars on Monday. On Sunday, eight shopkeepers were sent to jail.

Consumers suffered as prices of fruits, vegetables, meat, milk and edible items in almost all markets of the city remained high while the city government officials appeared helpless in taking action against profiteers.

Meatsellers took the lead among profiteers. While they violated the official rates, they also deviated from their commitment of selling meat at Rs210 per kg voluntarily. Presently mutton is being sold at Rs 220 while the official rate is Rs 170.

Sources said that the deputy district officers, despite enjoying all legal backing in officiating their duties as a watch-dog are reluctant to take this task as a serious job and instead they feel that the new mandate is a burden on them.

An amount of Rs 61,500 was recovered as fine in the last two days from 154 shopkeepers - Rs 30,350 on Monday and 31,200 on Sunday. A total of 81 shopkeepers were fined on Monday.

This figure looks quite meagre in terms of city population and the presence of a large number of markets. In a previous drive, the administration recovered an amount of Rs 9,000,000 from profiteers.

In view of dilly-dallying attitude of the DDOs in assuming their new responsibility, it seems that the city government's performance will not come up to the expectations of the people, like previous years.

The price regulators on Monday imposed a fine of Rs30,350 on 81 traders for overcharging. They included 11 butchers, 16 vegetable dealers, 40 fruit vendors, four milk-sellers and others.

On Sunday, as many as 73 shopkeepers and traders were fined. They included 27 butchers, 21 vegetable dealers, 23 fruit vendors, four milk- sellers and two other kitchen items.

In the last two days, profiteers were mainly booked in Liaquatabad, Keamari, Manghopir, Bin Qasim, Malir, Saddar, Gadap, Shah Faisal and Gulshan-i-Iqbal while there are 18 towns in the city.

According to city government officials, retailers and shopkeepers against whom action has been taken would remain in the lock-up for three days.

Till Sunday, six DDOs were active in markets to curb overcharging while two more DDOs joined them to make a total of eight DDOs out of 18 DDCs who were supposed to be get magisterial powers ahead of Ramazan.

The restriction of six-month experience as a magistrate and an LLB degree caused delays in the activation of the DDOs. However, a city government official defended the price control move, saying that as soon as more DDOs would arrive in the markets, consumers would definitely feel a difference.

The city government has also issued show-cause notices to two DDOs who deliberately avoided visiting markets.

The city government said the fruit vendors were seen charging over 100 per cent prices in various markets. All the milk-sellers were asking for Rs 25 a litre as against Rs 23.

Flour rates are fluctuating between Rs 14-15 per kg as against a government claim that the commodity would be available at Rs 12.50 per kg in Ramazan. As there is no regulation on the rates of fine atta, it is being sold at Rs 15-16 per kg. For instance, the 10 kg Ashrafi brand fine atta bag is being sold at Rs 150-160.

On Monday, the city government and the flour millers had agreed in a meeting that flour would be sold at Rs 12 per kg as wholesale price, while, in retail, flour will be available at Rs 12.50 per kg.

The price regulators had urged the flour millers to ensure stability in rates in open and big markets where disparity persists in rates.

Karachi Wholesale Grocers Association (KWGA) is still fighting over the wholesale rates printed in the price list without taking their advice.