ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration sealed 119 shops and registered 13 first information reports (FIRs) against retailers for overcharging and creating artificial inflation.

The civil administration is making all-out efforts to control inflation besides ensuring the availability of essential kitchen items at government notified rates, said Additional Deputy commissioner Rana Waqas.

He said at least 21 magistrates were inspecting shops and general stores in their respective jurisdictions for display of price lists and adherence to notifIed rates for essential commodities.

About the recent action taken by the civil administration against price hike, he said 5291 inspections were made since September and a fine of Rs774,300 was imposed on shopkeepers.

Similarly, he said around 3,246 shoppers were fined for not displaying official rate lists issued by the deputy commissioner office on a daily basis.

To a query, he said 35 fair price stalls were set up across the city where 20kg sack of wheat flour was available at Rs1,100 while sugar prices were being maintained through checking and penalising the violators.

He said Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat was paying surprise visits to the markets and Sunday Bazaars to check selling of edibles at government notifed rates. The civil administration was making utmost efforts to meet the demand and supply gap to provide maximum relief to the masses, he maintained.

The district administration has deputed 14 assistant commissioners and magistrates in various localities to check prices of various commodities.

Another official said the local administration was closely monitoring hoarding of essential food items.

He said shopkeepers were strictly directed to display price lists at a prominent place of their shops. In this connection, 25 mobile shops were also set up in various areas to provide essential items to the people at subsidized rates.

The assistant commissioners/price magistrates are visiting food factories, warehouses of different food items and Sabzi Mandi to check hoarding.

A District Price Control Committee has been established under the district magistrate/deputy commissioner which comprises representtaives of the stakeholders.

Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2021