October 26, 2007	Friday	Shawwal 13, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Oct 25: The decision of the city district government Rawalpindi to provide subsidy to hotels and Naanbais on flour prices and allowing them to reduce net weight of Roti is unjustified and provides double profit to sellers, said The Network for Consumer Protection here on Thursday.

In a statement, it termed the increase in price of Roti, Naanbais’ protest and the significant decrease in the net weight of Roti by the district government another economic burden on the consumers.

“The district government’s move to adjust the price of 100gm Roti to Rs3 ensures benefit to restaurants, hotels and Naanbais only,” the statement added.

It stressed that a representative of a consumer organisation should have been present when the agreement was agreed upon by the district government and the Rawalpindi Hotels and Naanbai Association fixing the price of 100gm roti at Rs3, the net weight of which was 120gm earlier.

“The hotel owners and Naanbais’ association are assured that the flour mills will provide them an 85kg sack of flour at the price of Rs1,600 against its price of Rs1,900 in the market but the mechanism for monitoring the quality and standards of weighing were not discussed, which directly harms the interests of the consumers.”

This settlement to decrease the price of Roti is an eyewash, which still benefits those who are already profiting by subjugating the rights of the consumers.

The NGO urged the authorities to strategise a mechanism of monitoring and evaluation of hotel owners and Naanbais’ association in order to ensure the quality and price of Roti.

APP adds: Chief Commissioner Islamabad Hamid Ali Khan has directed magistrates and the district food controller to ensure strict implementation of the officially-fixed rate of Roti at Rs3 in the capital.

The official directed them to ensure smooth supply of 20kg bags in the market at controlled rates.

The chief commissioner directed the officials of district administration and police to further intensify the drive against hoarders and take strict action against them.

He made these directions while reviewing the ongoing drive against hoarders and profiteers in pursuance to a directive of the Supreme Court.

Acting deputy commissioner Amer Ali Ahmed said magistrates were monitoring cold storages and godowns in the city.

He said the crackdown against profiteers would continue and strict action would be taken against those involved in hoarding.