CHITRAL: Expressing concern over the acute shortage of firewood in the town area, the residents of Lower Chitral on Tuesday urged the timber traders to comply with the official price list issued by the district administration.
Talking to reporters the residents also expressed serious concern over the silence of the Lower Chitral administration despite the alarming shortage and sharp increase in prices.
The locals said that firewood has become scarce in Chitral, while it is being sold at exorbitant rates. They termed the administration’s inaction and negligence meaningful and alarming, adding that tandoor owners were also facing severe difficulties due to the situation.
Several tandoor owners said that the district administration has fixed the official price of firewood at Rs 750 per maund, but in the open market it is nowhere available for less than Rs 1,050 to Rs 1,100 per maund. “The government must ensure the sale of firewood at officially notified rates,” said one of the tandoor owners.
The affected traders alleged that timber dealers’ stockyards were lying empty and that firewood was being sold secretly at self-imposed prices. They urged the administration to strictly ensure the availability of firewood at government- approved rates. They also demanded the cancellation of permits and seizure of stock of those traders who are selling firewood at inflated prices.
The residents said that the administration had taken effective measures last year to solve the issue. However, they complained that no concrete steps have been taken during the current winter season.
