KARACHI, Oct 23: The city government is facing problems to evolve a mechanism to check prices during Ramazan for want of magisterial powers to its officials.

Besides, it has not been able to prepare its infrastructure to control the prices of essential commodities due to the fact that records, assets and staff have not been transferred to it from the defunct Bureau of Supply and Prices (BSP).

“Price list will be ready ahead of Ramazan. But the main problem is that how to implement and check it,” a city government official remarked.

Officials are of the view that Sindh home department should now consider transferring the powers of magistrates to the deputy district officers (revenue) and town municipal officers (TMOs) or any other authority/persons for enforcement of Price Control, Profiteering and Hoarding Acts during Ramazan.

Another solution is that the high court may be requested through the home department to depute a judicial magistrate in each town to take action. The TMOs should facilitate the judicial magistrates, especially by providing them transport and temporary offices, etc. Moreover, two judicial magistrates may be empowered with jurisdiction for the whole city who may accompany the authorities of the city government during their visits to the markets.

The Sindh government has abolished the BSP and its functions have been deleted from the government’s Rules of Business 1986 through a notification dated Sept 17, 2002.

However, the staff of the Bureau are yet to be declared surplus by the Services and General Administration Department in the light of a decision of the Sindh cabinet on Oct 2, 2001.

DCO Shafiqur Rahman Paracha has informed the chief secretary recently that the functions of price control had to be performed vigorously during the holy month, for which preparations used to begin one month ahead. This routine exercise, he added, could not be started this year due to various reasons.

City Nazim Naimatullah Khan has also made repeated requests, but no action has been taken so far, the DCO informed the chief secretary in a letter.

Under the Sindh Local Government Rules of Business 2001, the functions of price control of essential commodities have been entrusted to the district governments.

Mr Paracha has urged the provincial government to ensure provision of the following to the city government: services of some experienced staff of the BSP along with the relevant records pertaining to price control, bazaars, etc., assets of the BSP (price wing), including vehicles, furniture, machinery, office equipment, etc., and office accommodation at Sabzi Mandi.

“The situation will become more grave this Ramazan as compared to previous years in case these issues were not resolved in an effective manner,” an official said.

Last year, profiteers enjoyed a heyday to make windfall profits as Town Nazimeen were not invested with power to impose fine on the retailers.

However, the first meeting with retailers, wholesalers and local ghee makers to discuss supply situation and prices of essential items was held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of the DCO.

The traders informed the city administration that so far the stock situation of almost all the essential items had been satisfactory and no shortage would occur in the holy month.

They said the commodity market was already facing a dull session due to which wholesale prices of many items had either remained stagnant or gone down.

A Ramazan package would be prepared after consultation with retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers in a couple of days, the meeting was informed.

As far as imported items are concerned, the prices should come down as the rupee has gained 1.8 per cent against the dollar from July to October. In July-June 2001-2002, the rupee had gained strength by 6.3 per cent against the greenback.

Import of pulses in July-Sept 2002 stood at 130,938 metric tons ($41 million) as compared to 86,435 metric tons ($27million) in the same period in 2001. Tea imports in July-Sept 2002 recorded at 23,833 metric tons ($37million) as compared to 23,217 metric tons ($36million) in the corresponding period last year.

The Sindh government has reduced the price of 100kg wheat bag from Rs827 to Rs750 recently. However, clever retailers had already increased the wheat flour price a few days back.

A 10kg bag of Ashrafi fine atta is now being sold at Rs120 as compared to Rs110-115, while fine atta is being charged at Rs13/kg as compared to Rs12.