THE trend of promoting various non-branded (street or sticker brands) home appliances is not new in Abid Market, as the illegal practice continues to affect those selling branded items, the general people/customers and the public exchequer.

Abid Market is said to be one of the biggest business hubs of the province where a large number of dealers/shopkeepers sell home appliances (refrigerators, freezers, ovens, air-conditioners, fans, washing machines, cooking range, LCDs and heaters etc) worth millions daily.

A majority of Lahorites and the people from adjoining districts prefer to shop from this market because of suitable rates, variety, after-sale service and warranty.

A number of wholesale dealers from other districts also visit the market on a weekly basis to buy various items in bulk at marginal price and sell these in their areas.

Dealers say since there is no check on smuggled items in the market through Sust Pak-China border (near Gilgit), the business of promoting sticker brands (non-branded) has adversely affected the sale of home appliances manufactured by the recognized companies, including local and international.

“The illegal display of various unregistered items can be seen in dozens of shops which are being smuggled from the neighboring country through the Sust border.

The businessmen affix stickers on smuggled items of various unknown companies and then display these for sale,” says a dealer.

About prices of the non-branded items, the shopkeeper says an LED and an A/C (one-and-a-half ton) cost Rs12,000 to Rs15,000 and Rs20,000 to 25,000, respectively, to the businessmen. But they sell these in double the price after giving local or ghost trade name to products.

“They have hired youngsters to market such products with wrong claims of warranty and after-sale service, etc. These youngsters surround customers and limit them to purchase items of their own choice through attractive offers, such as reasonable price, warranty etc. But after the sale of products, the young marketers don’t own their commitment much to the annoyance of customers,” he explained.

He said he had witnessed several incidents of squabbling between customers and street brand promoters on the issue of after-sale service or guaranty.

When asked how the people fall into the trap, the shopkeeper says it is very easy to sell such items to the people. “A customer focuses on three major things -- price, after-sale service and the warranty card. Since the customer has no time to investigate the brands, the sellers offer him/her low price and show them warranty cards etc, trapping them fully,” the dealer added.

He said the mushroom growth of the monkey business has even forced many to leave their business based on honesty and quality. “I am seriously thinking about closing down my business as the government is not taking any action against the illegal trade,” he said.

Another dealer said: “The government knows well that the promotion of non-branded items affects tax collection, revenue, industrialization and employment-generating system. It can stop the illegal business within a week if it takes action against officials involved in allowing smuggling of unregistered and low-quality electronic items at the Sust border,” he explained.

He urged the PML-N government to implement the relevant rules and stop the arrival of smuggled items to Abid Market.

In the coming days, Sheikhupura will be the first district where the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) is set to establish its sub-office on account of its conversion into a regional development authority.

Though such offices will also be set up in Kasur and Nankana Sahib districts, the plan is being initiated from Sheikhupura where the LDA will post a director (Town Planning in BPS-19), three deputy directors (BPS-18) and eight assistant directors (BPS-17), a deputy director of general cadre and one each assistant director of general, law and engineering cadres to facilitate the local public in building control, maps and housing colonies’ approval, completion certificates, NOCs, transfer of property and other affairs.

According to an LDA official, the support staff, including a computer officer/assistant, eight sub-engineers, data entry operators, draftsmen and a patwari, will also be posted at the sub-office in Sheikhupura.

He said the LDA had already issued tenders for the construction of office building in Sheikhupura and completing various assignments in this regard. “The LDA will soon start working on setting up its offices in Nankana and Kasur districts,” he added.

He said the LDA would also construct a road from the Motorway Interchange M-2 (Sheikhupura) to Quaid-i-Azam Apparel Park, Qiampura village, in the district.

The 3.5 kilometers long road will be constructed at a cost of Rs33.264 million. “The LDA has also invited tenders from construction firms by June 21 for executing the project,” the official said. — (khalidpak284@yahoo.com)

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2014