Price control in Ramazan: CDGK fails to set up offices in wholesale, retailers markets

Despite an instruction of Sindh government, City District Government Karachi (CDGK) failed to set up offices in all wholesale and retailers markets to contain prices of daily-use commodities. Though the city government claimed to have taken necessary steps to control price of commodities in the holy month of Ramazan, the poverty-stricken people continued paying the skyrocketing prices of kitchen items in all markets.
Sindh Government's directives aimed to facilitate the people against hoarding and profiteering in Ramazan, remained neglected through out the month, as there was no price checking mechanism applied in city's markets.
The provincial government, through a notification issued before the holy month, had also directed the administration of all other district governments to make active the price controlling system and take stern action against the profiteers and hoarders.
In this regard, the department of Bureau of Supply and Prices has recently forwarded a letter to all the District Co-ordination Officers (DCOs) directing them to set up offices in wholesale and retailers markets and ensure proper inspection of the prices of kitchen items in Ramazan, sources said.
Besides, a meeting of the representatives of dairy milk, meat, fruits and vegetables associations was also held with Minister Bureau of Supply and Prices Shoaib Bukhari, while discussing how the prices of these essential commodities would be controlled.
It is to mention here that the market associations had provided offices in wholesale markets last year where the magistrate had carried out action against those involved in profiteering and hoarding and claimed that the prices of commodities remained firm last year.
Throughout the month not only the price list issued by CDGK was being violated but retailers and wholesalers also charged the prices of kitchen items at their own will. Most of the shopkeepers even did not bother to display the price list issued by the Enterprise and Investment Promotion Department of the CDGK, compelling the poor citizens of this city to pay the high prices of the commodities.