SARGODHA:The district administration imposed fines amounting to Rs 550,000, sealed six shops and arrested five people for overcharging and other violations at shops and petrol pumps in motorway service areas.
The action was taken on the directives of Deputy Commissioner Hussain Ahmad Raza Chaudhry to ensure compliance with officially prescribed prices at motorway service areas.
Assistant Commissioner Kot Momin Mohsin Dhillon, along with the PERA Force, conducted a surprise inspection of Sial Morr Rest Area on Tuesday to check prices of essential commodities, weights and measures, and sales practices.
During the inspection, authorities found violations, including the sale of goods at prices higher than the prescribed rates and irregularities in weights and measures.
The administration imposed fines totalling Rs 550,000, sealed six shops, arrested five people and registered one first information report (FIR).
The deputy commissioner said ensuring the availability of essential commodities at officially prescribed prices and compliance with relevant regulations at petrol pumps were priorities of the district administration to protect motorway travellers.
He directed the relevant officers to conduct regular inspections of shops and petrol pumps at motorway service areas and take indiscriminate action against violators.
He made it clear that profiteering, overcharging, inaccurate weights and measures, and exploitation of consumers would not be tolerated, adding that the crackdown would continue.