23,000 profiteers and hoarders booked across Punjab, fined Rs169m

LAHORE: Secretary Food Safety and Consumer Protection Punjab Dr. Kiran Khurshid has said that during the past week, price control magistrates conducted inspections at more than 379,000 locations across the province and took action against over 23,000 profiteers and hoarders.

She said 34 cases were registered, 608 individuals were arrested, and fines amounting to Rs. 169.07 million were imposed for violations related to price manipulation and hoarding, said information released by the department on Thursday.

Dr. Kiran Khurshid stated that a continuous crackdown is underway to ensure the availability of wheat flour at officially notified prices. During this campaign, more than 22,300 flour sale points and shops were inspected. The action was taken against 1,400 profiteers involved in overpricing, two cases were registered, 49 people were arrested, and fines totalling Rs. 1.317 million were imposed.

She further said that measures to ensure the supply of sugar at government-notified rates have been intensified. During the past week, inspections were carried out at 17,900 locations. Legal action was taken against 1,100 individuals involved in overcharging, 40 people were arrested, and fines exceeding Rs. 907,000 were imposed.

READ MORE: CM Punjab orders crackdown against hoarders, profiteers

The Secretary added that action against the sale of overpriced bread has also been further tightened. A total of 53,600 tandoors and hotels were inspected, resulting in action against 4,731 naan-bakers and hotel owners. Ten cases were registered, 148 individuals were arrested, and fines amounting to Rs. 2.098 million were imposed.

She also stated that strict action continued against butchers involved in overcharging for broiler meat. During the crackdown, 1,687 butchers were proceeded against, two cases were registered, 49 individuals were arrested, and fines totalling Rs. 1.07 million were imposed.

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