FAISALABAD, Jan 6: The district government has failed to control overcharging and blackmarketing of consumer goods as national and multi-national companies have raised the prices of their products by 20 to 25 per cent.

Shopkeepers of residential and commercial areas were seen selling pulses, rice, spices, ghee, sugar, gram powder, red chilli and other kitchen items at exorbitant rates. They claimed that they had left with no option but to increase the prices of these articles after purchasing the same from wholesale dealers at higher rates.

The checking system has become standstill after the abolition of the magistracy system as the powers to take action against the profiteers have not so far been delegated to elected representatives or officials concerned properly.

However, Nazimeen of union councils were asked to check adulteration and overcharging in their respective areas, but they are also playing the role of silent spectator.

Shopkeepers were selling loose ghee at Rs65 per kg instead of its fixed price of Rs59. Similarly, the national and multi-national ghee and cooking companies have also enhanced the prices of their products without any cogent reason. The 5kg pack of Dalda is being sold at Rs395 as against Rs385 while Habib vanaspati and Tullo light cooking oil at Rs385 and Rs365, respectively, which is Rs10 higher.

Similarly, the bakers have also increased the prices of biscuits, rusks, burgers, breads, cakes and other varieties prepared with ghee and fine atta.

REDUCED TO ASHES: Goods worth thousands of rupees were reduced to ashes on Sunday night when fire broke out in a godown on the Faisalabad-Chak Jhumra.

The fire erupted due to short-circuiting engulfed the entire godown of karyana articles within minutes. The fire brigade rushed to the spot and extinguished the fire after the efforts of one hour. However, the articles worth thousands of rupees lying in the godown destroyed.