MANSEHRA, Nov 10: The overcharging by shopkeepers on items of daily use is going unabated but the authorities here have restricted themselves only to taking action against the poor pushcart and small kiosk owners in the name of anti-encroachment drive.

The shopkeepers and vendors have started fleecing consumers as usual as if it is their prerogative to do so in the holy month of Ramazan.

The prices of vegetables and fruits are soaring high, with no relation whatsoever with the price lists issued by the district and tehsil price review committees.

The authorities take no notice of the substandard and unhealthful beef and mutton available in the market nor they take care of the unhygienic pickles, sauces and other food items being sold openly in bazars, which are favourites of all at Iftar.

The two main departments responsible for keeping a vigil on profiteers and adulterators are the local police and the tehsil municipal administration (TMA).

Both the watchdogs, however, seem be reluctant to perform their assigned duties.

The TMA officials and the policemen with batons in their hands roam about the bazars and shopping centres, the vegetable and fruit market from dawn to dusk, thrashing the cart and small kiosk owners in the name of anti-encroachment drive.

Their victims are mostly the Afghan refugees whose carts full of fruit and vegetable are frequently seen being turned upside down by the police and the TMA officials.

These sleuths thrive on getting fruits and vegetables for free from these poor creatures for a lavish Iftar.