TAXILA: The administration in Taxila booked 33 shopkeepers in various markets of the city.

They were also fined Rs252,000 for profiteering during the last leg of the administration’s anti-profiteering drive on Friday.

A campaign against shopkeepers involved in profiteering, hoarding and short measuring was accelerated on directives from Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

Price control magistrates have been conducting operations in this regard to ensure that fruits and vegetables are sold at the prices notified by the government.

Raids were conducted in HMC Market, on Faisal Shaheed Road and HMC Road, and in the Ahatta area.

A total of 33 alleged profiteers from milk shops, bakeries, grocery stores, meat markets and fruit and vegetable markets were booked and arrested for profiteering and for selling meat at exorbitant prices.

While speaking to mediapersons, Assistant Commissioner Waqas Aslam Marth said all price control magistrates are directed to ensure fruits and vegetables are sold in markets at the prescribed rates.

Mr Marth said those involved in hoarding and overcharging would be dealt with strictly.

He added that the magistrates were fully active in their areas and no one would be permitted to overcharge customers.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2017