ATTOCK, Nov 22: As the district administration fixed the rate of sugar at Rs72 per kg, the commodity has disappeared from the market. Earlier, sugar was being sold at Rs110 to Rs115 per kg in the open market.

A few days back, the district administration on the directive of Punjab government fixed the new arte of sugar. Special price magistrates and other officials were directed to ensure implementation of the new rate in the market.

However, the commodity is not available in the market or is being sold at high rates and the administration has failed to take action against shopkeepers for violating the official rate.

Most traders and stockists have reportedly established their godowns inside their houses or outside the city areas to avoid any crackdown. The residents have called upon the government to take action against the hoarders to give some relief to them.

When contacted, District Coordination Officer (DCO) Shakeel Ahmed said they were conducting raids in the markets to ensure the sale of sugar at the official rate. He said fines had also been imposed on many shopkeepers and traders during the last three days.

He said there was no shortage of sugar in the market, adding some unscrupulous elements could create artificial shortage for their vested interests. He said the district administration had set up 68 sale points in the Attock tehsil to ensure provision of sugar at Rs72 per kg.