KARACHI : 47 fined in drive against flour overcharging
KARACHI, Sept 27: The city government officials with magisterial powers on Thursday visited various markets and shops to check profiteering during the ongoing campaign to control prices. During the campaign, they imposed fines amounting to Rs209,100 on 47 traders for selling flour at higher than the fixed rate. They also imposed a collective fine of Rs317,200 on 143 shopkeepers for overcharging in utility items.
According to a revenue department release, DDOs Revenue and Mukhtiarkars inspected different outlets and found certain traders and shopkeepers indulged in profiteering.
The officials have so far imposed fines totalling Rs873,250 in 179 cases during the drive. Seventeen 17 shopkeepers have been sent to jail for overcharging.
The highest amount of fine, i.e. Rs177,000 in 15 cases, has been imposed by the officials assigned the duty in Bin Qasim Town. Gulshan Town (Rs168,000 in 22 cases) and Jamshed Town (Rs815,000 in 18 cases) come next.
The magistrates also booked 24 traders in Saddar/Clifton towns and imposed a collective fine of Rs76,000. Ten shopkeepers were booked in Malir Town and fined a collective amount of Rs75,500 in 10 cases for selling flour at higher rates.
The DDOs and Mukhtiarkars also conducted raids on different outlets to check price-hike in utility items on Thursday and imposed a fine of Rs51,600 on 19 milk sellers.
According to a break-up, two meat sellers were fined Rs1,500; 18 vegetable sellers Rs11,700; 50 fruit sellers Rs23,100, four grocery stores Rs16,000 and three shopkeepers dealing in items of daily use Rs4,200 for overcharging.
A fine of Rs43,000 was imposed on 15 shopkeepers in Clifton and Saddar Town and eight shopkeepers were booked in Lyari Town and fined Rs6,000.
Magistrates visiting Jamshed Town booked 14 traders and fined them Rs11,600. Three traders in Korangi Town were fined Rs6,000; 13 shopkeepers in Gulshan Town Rs39,200; 15 traders in Keamari Town Rs14,500, three shopkeepers in Baldia Town Rs3,000), six traders in Orangi Town Rs48,000, 13 traders in Site Town Rs6,600, 14 shopkeepers in New Karachi Town Rs56,700, and five traders each in Gadap and Malir towns were fined Rs5,100 and Rs39,000, respectively.—PPI
