KOHAT: The milk sellers on Tuesday observed a strike against taxes and demanded that prices of milk and yogurt should be increased by Rs30 per kilogramme.

The protesters argued that the price should be fixed at Rs130 for both the commodities after taxation.

Meanwhile, the retailers have started fleecing the people by selling flour at Rs950 to Rs1,000 per 20kg bag which they purchased from whole sellers at Rs870.

The retailers argued that the income department had imposed Rs3,500 tax on each shop per month, due to which they were forced to increase the price of per 20kg bag.

A whole seller, Rehmat Elahi said the flour mills had increased the rate per bag by Rs100.

Also, the tandoor owners said their business had been seriously affected after increase in gas and electricity rates.

President of tandoor owners’ body, Laal Mohammad, demanded that the government bring down the price of bread to Rs10 with weight of 150 gram. He said after increase in gas and electricity tariff their profit margin had decreased.

ACTION ORDERED AGAINST OFFICIALS: The district administration ordered action against senior medical officer and technician of basic health center, Gumbat, for being absent from duty on Tuesday.

Additional assistant commissioner Sahibzada Samiullah during a surprise visit found Dr Nasrullah and technician Mohammad Riaz absent from duty without taking leave. He sent their case to the district health officer for departmental action.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2019