The City District Government of Karachi (CDGK), while taking strict action against sale of wheat flour on higher prices, imposed fines of Rs 165, 500 on 56 outlets on Friday. The special magistrates have been assigned the powers to take punitive action against delinquents not following the notified price of Atta, which has been fixed as Rs 13.50 and Rs 15 per kg respectively.
The magistrates during anti-profiteering action, registered 12 traders in Clifton/Saddar and imposed a fine of Rs 28,500, 4 outlets in Lyari Rs 4,000, 8 traders in Jamshed Town Rs 27,000, one store in Korangi Rs 2,000, 4 traders in Keamari Rs 12,000, 5 outlets in SITE Town Rs 5,000, 11 traders in New Karachi Town Rs 46,000, 3 shops in Bin Qasim Town Rs 6,000, 4 outlets each in Malir Rs 20,000 and Landhi Town Rs 15,000.
So far the magistrates have imposed a total fine of Rs 1.038 million on 235 traders in different towns while 17 profiteers have been sent to jail on account of selling flour on exorbitant prices. Besides Atta, the DDOs and Mukhtiarkars of Revenue Department continued their raids against profiteers of other utility items.
Overall 136 challans were made and fines amounting to Rs 278, 700 imposed on 56 flour merchants, 16 milk sellers Rs 47, 500, 10 meat sellers Rs 14, 500, 13 vegetable vendors Rs 8000, 30 fruit sellers Rs 17, 900, 3 grocery stores Rs 3000 and 8 others Rs 22, 300 on account of overcharging.
The DDOs and Mukhtiarkars carrying out surprise raids to check price hike in utility items imposed fine of Rs 46, 000 on 35 outlets in Clifton/Saddar Town while 4 challans were made in Lyari Town with a fine of Rs 4, 000.
The magistrates also registered 26 traders in Jamshed Town with fine of Rs 33, 400, 3 traders in Korangi with Rs 7, 000, 15 shopkeepers in Keamari with Rs 16, 000, 17 traders in Site Town with Rs 9, 000, 24 shopkeepers in New Karachi Town with Rs 56,500, 10 traders in Bin Qasim Town with Rs 10,000, 8 outlets in Gadap Town with Rs 5,000, 15 traders in Malir Town with Rs 43,500,4 traders in Shah Faisal Town with Rs 15,000 and 27 outlets in Landhi Town with Rs 23,300.
In all 66 persons have been sent to jail from different towns since the drive started from 24 August, 2007 against profiteering in utility items while the magistrates have imposed fines amounting to Rs 93, 59,350 in 4279 cases.