Fines totalling Rs10.627 million have been imposed on profiteers across Punjab over the past week, Secretary Dr Kiran Khurshid said on Wednesday, as part of a wider drive against Punjab overpricing. The Food Safety and Consumer Protection Department's enforcement teams also arrested 56 people and sealed 19 premises for violations of price control rules. The secretary said the drive targets essential goods sold above government-notified rates across the province, not only in one city.
What the inspections found
Dr Khurshid said 19,902 violations involving the sale of essential commodities above officially notified rates were detected during the period. Inspectors also identified 2,168 locations where the official price lists were not displayed. Price lists let shoppers compare the rate they are charged with the official figure, so a missing list leaves buyers unable to check it.
The department's briefing did not say how many of the fines have so far been paid. The totals cover a single week, so the Punjab overpricing figures may change as more inspections are completed.
Chicken, sugar and tomatoes
The secretary said 18,774 inspections were conducted to check chicken meat prices, and more than 1,400 violations involving overcharging were reported. Tomato sales produced 769 violations involving overcharging, with fines of Rs125,500, she said. Department figures also show 12,829 inspections of sugar prices, in which action was taken against 574 violations.
Sources differ on the chicken penalties. One account of the briefing put chicken fines at Rs494,000, but the other did not give a chicken fine total, so that amount should be treated as unconfirmed.
What happens next
Dr Khurshid said price control magistrates and enforcement teams will keep inspecting markets across Punjab to make sure essential goods are sold at notified rates. She said field inspections are being made more effective to protect consumers and provide relief to the public. Action against shopkeepers and traders who break official price lists will continue in line with the law, she added.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Punjab mein food safety department ne pichle hafte profiteers par Rs10.627 million ka jurmana kiya hai. 56 log giraftar hue aur 19 jagahen seal ki gayi hain. Secretary Dr Kiran Khurshid ke mutabiq 19,902 violations mili hain, is liye bazar mein notified rate se zyada qeemat par dhyan dein. Agar price list nahi lagi hui to dukandar se khud poochhein.
