Punjab intensifies crackdown on profiteering, overcharging, hoarding

LAHORE, Jul 17 (APP): Punjab Food Safety and Consumer Protection Secretary Dr Kiran Khurshid said on Friday that a crackdown on profiteering, overcharging and hoarding had been further intensified across the province in line with the directives of the Punjab government.

In this regard, Consumer Protection Punjab had released the performance report of the price control magistrates, according to which emergency operations were being carried out across Punjab to provide relief to the public, said a handout issued here.

Dr Kiran said that 1,635 price control magistrates were currently active in the field across the province and were performing their duties. During the past two weeks, these magistrates conducted raids at a total of 1,030,918 locations in all districts of Punjab. The secretary said that 5,395 shopkeepers and store owners were issued heavy fines, warnings and strict notices for failing to display official price lists at prominent places.

She further stated that strict legal action was taken against 50,283 individuals found guilty of overcharging and fines exceeding Rs 29.418 million were imposed. She said that in cases involving serious violations, 71 First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered against profiteers, while 1,746 individuals were arrested.

In addition, 209 shops and warehouses involved in profiteering, hoarding and other serious offences were sealed.

The secretary reaffirmed the government’s commitment and said that protecting consumers’ rights and ensuring the uninterrupted supply of quality food items at reasonable prices was the top priority of the Punjab government.

Action against profiteers and those creating artificial inflation would continue without interruption under the government’s zero-tolerance policy, she added.

She said that no one would be allowed to exploit the public.