DCOs asked for keeping strict check on prices, quality of essential items

Commissioner Hazara Division, Mohammad Khalid Khan Umerzai has directed the concerned officials of all districts of the region for keeping regular strict check on the prices and quality of essential items even without the holy month of Ramazan.
He issued these directives while presiding over a review meeting on the prices and standard of essential food items and steps for provision of relief to consumers. Those who attended the meeting were included, District Co-ordination Officers (DCOs) of all districts, revenue officers, district food controllers and other concerned officials of the division.
The Divisional Commissioner directed extension of maximum relief to the consumers besides initiating strict legal action against profiteers and hoarders. He directed the administrations of all the districts that they are responsible for the immediate resolution of the complaints of consumers regarding power and gas, adding they should create awareness amongst the people about this facility to contact DCO and District Police Officer (DPO) for contracting the district officers of the power and gas in their respective districts.
The meeting reviewed steps initiated for price control in all districts, performance of price control magistrates and availability of essential food items, redressal of the complaints of consumers regarding profiteering, utilities of Sunday bazaars, performance of Consumers Protection Councils and making decisions for further strengthening of the price control system for consumers.
According to details presented in the meeting a fine of Rs 8.525 million have been collected from profiteers, hoarders, sellers of substandard food items and less weighting in districts Abbottabad, Haripur, Mansehra, Battagram and Kohistan last year. The highest amount of Rs 4.186 million was collected from the traders and shopkeepers of district Abbottabad, Rs 1.756 million in Mansehra, Rs 1.1709 million in Haripur and Rs 0.943 million in Battagram and Rs 0.1756 million in Kohistan.
The meeting showed unanimity that as sufficient quantity of essential food items are available in all local bazaars of Hazara on the officially fixed prices. Therefore, the establishment of Sunday Bazaars in any district of the division will be a useless effort. However, in case of necessity such bazaars could be established at any time and in any district of the division.
The meeting expressed satisfaction over decline in the prices of sugar and pulses and directed the district administration of Abbottabad for taking steps for bringing a cut of Rs 4 in the price of one kilogram sugar to make it available at Rs 48/- per kilogram in the district. The meeting stressed the need of fixing the ambit of the Consumers' Protection Councils and felt need for taking measures for introducing effective and strict price checking system in small and far-flung cities and towns.
The Commissioner, Hazara said that the provincial government has deep concern for the prices and availability of essential food items. Therefore, he stressed need for strict and regular measures for provision of relief to consumers. He said that the monitoring of prices and quality of edibles could be limited only to the month of Ramazan; rather the process will be continued for the whole year. He directed the adoption of realistic approach in the fixation of the prices of essential food items to prevent injustice with any one. However, he directed taking of strict and necessary actions for guaranteeing the implementation of the officially fixed prices.
Regarding the role of the Consumers' Protection Councils, the Commissioner Hazara directed DCOs to sit along with them to fix the ambit of their working. He told the meeting that the provincial government has also initiated measures for the immediate resolution of the grievances of consumers of electricity and gas. He said that consumers can contact divisional commissioner, DIG, concerned Superintending Engineer, DCO, DPO and EXN concerned for the immediate redressal of their complaints, who will take immediate action for the removal of their grievances.