Rawalpindi :Profiteers and hoarders operated unchecked across the bazaars in city and cantonment board areas on the first day of Ramazanul Mubarak, as public faced soaring prices with no visible presence of Price Control Magistrates or PERA officials to curb overcharging in the city here Thursday.
Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Engineer Amir Khattak has said that paying special attention to price control during Ramazan, the first priority of the para-force should be to keep prices moderate. In this regard, administrative officers should monitor bidding in the market and price control magistrates should patrol critical markets continuously.
Merit and transparency should be ensured in the distribution of Ramadan guardian cards at all costs and Deputy Commissioners should directly monitor this process. Notification of fresh prices should be issued by taking trader organizations on board. The Commissioner directed the Additional Deputy Commissioners to visit vegetable and fruit markets daily, while the Deputy Commissioners should visit the markets themselves at least two to three times a week.
The Commissioner directed that on the model of Rawalpindi, goods should be made available at wholesale prices on stalls in other districts by joining hands with the trading community so that direct relief is provided to the public.
He expressed these views in a meeting held at the Commissioner's Office Rawalpindi regarding Ramadan arrangements. The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners of all districts and relevant departments.
The heads attended the briefing on the occasion. It was informed that a total of 7 Ramadan Sahulat Bazaars have been established in Rawalpindi district. They are at Choohrr Chowk and Haideri Chowk in Rawalpindi district, Committee Chowk Tehsil Attock in Attock district, near Bus Stand in Murree district, Panwal Road Chakwal in Chakwal district and near MC Office Tala Gang in Chakwal district.
In Jhelum district, a Ramadan Sahulat Bazaar is established and functional at Jaida to Shabard Chowk. In addition, 50 Ramadan Nigahban tables are being set up across the division, out of which 16 in Rawalpindi district, 12 in Attock district, 8 in Jhelum district, 9 in Chakwal/Tala Gang district and 5 in Murree district. While giving an update regarding the distribution of Ramadan Nigheban cards, it was informed that a total target of 117,185 cards has been set up across the division, out of which 52,359 cards have been received. And of the cards received, 40,271 have been distributed.
