FAISALABAD: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Muhammad Ali during a visit to the Susan Road Model bazaar found flour and sugar missing and poor quality tomatoes on display on Wednesday.

The model bazaar was set up by the district government on Tuesday.

The DC said he had directed assistant commissioners to ensure availability of good quality products at fixed rates at bazaars of Riaz Shahid Chowk, Susan Road, Jhang Road and Kaleem Shahid Park.

These bazaars will remain open from 10am to 4pm and will be inspected, he added.

Also, 12 Kissan Platforms have also been established across the district from where public can buy products directly from the farmers. He said action was being taken against the hoarders and people involved in the price hike. Manager of a store was also arrested on Tuesday and fine had also been imposed on different people who were selling items at exorbitant rates.

Visitors told reporters the prices of the vegetables and fruits were skyrocketing as the district administration had failed to bridle the unscrupulous elements who were looting people with impunity.

They said why people would visit the model bazaars when essential items were missing and the quality of available products was poor. Instead of taking cosmetic measures, they said, the government should ensure selling of essential items at fixed rates and direct the officials to keep monitoring of markets and stores.

They said the government must impose fine on the government officials who failed to control the prices in their respective areas.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2019