POLICE have been raiding shops selling loose oil in areas inhabited by people belonging to the poor segments of society. The shopkeepers are being forced to sell branded oil even though the manufacturers do not market half-litre packs of their products. People are forced to buy one-litre packs that cost Rs600 or more.

We belong to the Hindu community and use loose oil available for Rs100 per litre. We use it to light clay lamps in our temples and at our homes in line with our religious practices. Branded oil in packs is expensive and we use it only for cooking purposes.

The authorities concerned should take note of the matter and stop this campaign in favour of branded oil manufacturers. Today, they are asking the shopkeepers to stop selling loose oil, tomorrow they may ask milk-sellers to stop selling fresh, loose milk, forcing the people to buy branded packaged milk. Will that make sense?

If the authorities really want to stop something, they should, instead, focus on banning the sale of liquor and drugs that are playing with the future of our generations.

Parmesh Kumar Marker
Karachi

Published in Dawn, September 15th, 2022