LAHORE, Aug 11: Special price magistrates of the City District Government of Lahore (CDGL) on Thursday launched a massive crackdown on shopkeepers in the open market and got registered cases against nine retailers for overcharging and hoarding commodities.

According to DCO Ahad Cheema, various teams led by price magistrates also fined Rs65,700 to some 80 shopkeepers/vendors in various markets of the provincial metropolis.

He said the teams checked at least 470 shopkeepers/vendors.

The DCO said the price magistrates had been strictly directed to ensure that shopkeepers/vendors display price lists of commodities conspicuously at their shops in Ramazan bazaars and in the open market.

Mr Cheema claimed that CDGL officials had succeeded in controlling the prices of commodity.

He said he had advised the officials to take stern action against those involved in overcharging or hoarding the commodities.

tea seized: The food squad of the City District Government of Lahore raided on Thursday a tea factory in Abu Bakar Siddique Colony and seized 1,200 kilo adulterated tea besides initiating legal proceedings against the factory owner.

A special team led by District Officer (Food) Dr Masood Ashraf raided the factory and seized the substandard tea.

The team also inspected various shops and eateries in different parts of the city and seized 80kg unhygienic mutton, 40kg chicken meat, 80kg yogurt, 40 litre milk and 40kg rotten fruits.

The team sent the samples to a laboratory for getting food test reports. The team also imposed a fine of Rs42,500 on the owners of 13 food shops.