KARACHI:Commissioner Karachi Muhammad Iqbal Memon on Tuesday directed all the deputy commissioners to ensure that consumers get food items on the prices fixed by the city administration strictly and to take action against those who violate the prices of groceries as well as fruits and vegetables fixed by the city administration.
He asked the deputy commissioners to ensure that all sellers of food items follow the government lists and those found violating should be dealt strictly according to the law. The lists of grocery, bakery and poultry and other items are available on the website of Commissioner Karachi and social media for the knowledge and reference of shopkeepers, consumers and vendors fixed by the city administration with the coordination of bureau supply and consent of and cooperation of representative traders and representatives of associations of whole sellers and retailers during the holy month.
For the fixation of prices of fruits and vegetables at sabzi mandi different assistant commissioners have been assigned duties to monitor the prices daily basis at Sabzi Mandi by the Market Committee. To deal with inflated prices of grocery items, fruits, vegetables, beef, poultry and bakery items in Ramazan, deputy commissioners of the city should take action against profiteers, said the commissioner.
According to the reports submitted by the deputy commissioners, 174 profiteers were challaned in six districts in which they were fined over Rs632,000. Deputy Commissioner Malir reported 23 profiteers were fined in which Rs53,000 were fined against them.
Deputy Commissioner Keamari reported that 18 profiteers were challaned and Rs26,000 were fined against them. According to the district South, 33 profiteers were challaned and Rs39,00 fine was imposed against them, while district central magistrates fined 31 profiteers. They were fined Rs405,000. In East and West districts, 54 and 15 shopkeepers were fined, respectively, while Rs98,000 and Rs11,500 fine was imposed against them.