NAROWAL: The district price control committee (DPCC) has ‘failed’ to control rates of daily commodities as shopkeepers are allegedly overcharging the shoppers.

The DPCC has fixed the rate of sugar at Rs89 per kg while in the open market, shopkeepers are selling the sweetener at Rs110 to Rs115.

In Narowal district, the rate of fresh milk is fixed at Rs90 per litre and yogurt at Rs100 per kg. Fresh milk at shops is available at Rs110 to Rs120 and yogurt at Rs120 per kg. Fresh milk is being sold at Rs130 per litre and yogurt at Rs140 per kg in Shakargarh tehsil.

The official list issued by the market committee office does not include the rates for flour and ghee as a result shopkeepers are overcharging the customers. Flour is being sold at Rs70 to Rs85 per kg in Narowal district.

The committee has fixed the rate of mutton at Rs900 per kilo and beef at Rs450 per kg. Butchers are selling mutton at Rs1,200 and beef at Rs550 per kg.

According to the DPCC price list, the rate of gram pulse and gram flour is fixed at Rs128 per kg. It is being sold in the open market at Rs150 to Rs160 per kg. The price control committee has fixed the rate of white lentils at Rs215 per kg and traders are selling in the market at Rs260 to Rs280 per kg. The committee has fixed the rate of Rs7 for 100 grams Roti and Rs12 for 120 grams Naan. Roti is being sold at Rs10 and Naan at Rs15 in the market.

Citizens Mohammad Jamshed and Fayyaz Goraya said that the district administration and price control magistrates go to the market for a ‘photo session’. Buyers Asghar Ali and Farhan Khan said substandard food items are being sold in the open market.

This correspondent tried to contact DPCC Chairman/Deputy Commissioner Nabila Irfan on mobile phone and land line number several times but didn’t get any response.

Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2021