Stores, shops violating fixed rates to be sealed and fined: Minister

Punjab Industries and Trade Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal has said that stores and shops found repeatedly violating government fixed rates will be sealed and heavy fines will be imposed on the owners for not displaying the price lists.
He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting of task force for price control committee here on Thursday. It reviewed the steps taken for ensuring the provision and availability of essential edibles in the markets and its prices. Secretary Industries and Trade Capt. (R) Zafar Iqbal, Additional Secretary, DG Industries, DGPR and concerned officers attended the meeting. Provincial Food Minister Sami Ullah Chaudhary, commissioners, deputy commissioners and police officers also attended the meeting via video link.
The meeting decided to extend the home delivery facility mechanism of essential items in Punjab. While addressing the meeting, the Minister directed concerned officers and administration to ensure 100 percent implementation on price control mechanism along with enforcing the writ of the government. "The government machinery should also ensure availability of 20 kg flour bag at Rs 808 in the province," he stressed.
He directed the district supply management committees to keep a strict watch on the provision and availability of essential commodities in their respective districts.
Punjab Food Minister Sami Ullah Chaudhary said that problem of flour shortage and hike in its prices occurred at few places owing to panic buying; this has caused disturbance in the supply chain mechanism.
Meanwhile, during a crackdown against profiteers in the provincial capital, the Lahore administration on Thursday sealed grocery stores and imposed fines for overcharging.
The Assistant Commissioner City with his team checked various stores in his jurisdiction area and found Eurostore at Shalimar Bag guilty of overcharging, and thus the store was sealed immediately. Moreover, three other stores, including Jalal Sons, Al Fateh and Al Rehim Store, were also sealed for failing to implement Queue Management System, which was introduced by the administration for maintaining social distancing at shops and public places.