LAHORE:The Punjab Food Safety and Consumer Protection Department has imposed fine amounting to Rs10.627 million on profiteers across the province during the last week, while 56 people were arrested and 19 premises sealed for violations of price control regulations.
Secretary Food Safety and Consumer Protection Dr Kiran Khurshid told the media on Wednesday that 19,902 violations involving the sale of essential commodities above officially notified rates were detected during the period. The department also identified 2,168 locations where official price lists were not displayed. She said enforcement teams conducted extensive inspections to ensure the sale of essential commodities at government-notified prices and took action against violators across Punjab.
Dr Kiran Khurshid said 18,774 inspections were conducted to check chicken meat prices, during which more than 1,400 violations involving overcharging were reported. Fines amounting to Rs494,000 were imposed on violators.
Similarly, 12,829 inspections were carried out to monitor sugar prices, resulting in action against 574 violations. The report further showed that 769 violations involving overcharging for tomatoes were detected, leading to fines of Rs125,500.
The secretary said price control magistrates and enforcement teams were continuing inspections in markets across the province to curb profiteering and ensure the availability of essential commodities at notified rates. She said field inspections were being made more effective to protect consumers from overcharging and provide relief to the public. Action against shopkeepers and profiteers violating official price lists would continue in accordance with the law, she added.