Lahore: Action against profiteers, hoarders and overchargers is continuing across Punjab under the supervision of Food Safety and Consumer Protection Secretary Dr Kiran Khurshid.
According to official sources, the secretary said on Thursday that Price Control Magistrates had conducted more than 753,000 inspections in various markets across the province during the past 15 days.
During the operations, fines exceeding Rs 9.906 million were imposed for violations of laws, overcharging and failure to display official rate lists. A total of 238 cases were registered, while 865 people were arrested.
Dr Khurshid said 53 shops belonging to profiteers and other elements involved in violations had also been sealed during the inspections.
Giving details, she said Price Control Magistrates conducted 158,931 inspections to ensure compliance with the prescribed prices of bread. As a result, 86 cases were registered, 254 people arrested and fines amounting to Rs1.537 million imposed.
Similarly, 38,673 inspections were carried out to monitor chicken prices, with overcharging detected at 3,284 locations. Twelve cases were registered, 61 people were arrested, and fines of Rs1.055 million were imposed for selling chicken at inflated prices.
The secretary said 32,918 inspections were conducted to ensure the uninterrupted supply of flour and its availability at government-fixed prices. Overcharging was detected at 1,661 locations, resulting in the arrest of 16 people.
Meanwhile, 31,208 inspections were conducted to monitor the prices of basmati rice. Thirty-two people were arrested for profiteering, while fines exceeding Rs408,000 were imposed.
Dr Khurshid said five FIRs were registered and 18 people detained for overcharging on sugar. During checks on gram lentil (chana dal) prices, four cases were registered and 22 people arrested.
For overcharging on vegetable oil and ghee, 24 people were arrested and fines amounting to Rs210,000 were imposed. Similarly, 13 cases were registered, 38 people arrested, and fines exceeding Rs273,000 imposed for profiteering and overcharging on eggs.
Strict action was also taken against the sale of tomatoes at inflated prices, with six cases registered and 16 people arrested.
The Food Safety Secretary said inspections by Price Control Magistrates were being conducted on a daily basis to ensure the availability of affordable and quality food items to the public. She reiterated that no leniency would be shown to anyone violating the law.
