Islamabad - Assistant Deputy Commissioner (General) Noaman Yousuf said on Friday that there would not be any increase in prices of eatable food items during the Holy month of Ramazan in federal capital.
Talking to APP here, he said that the market would see stability in the prices as the administration is taking specific measures. “We will monitor prices during the entire month of Ramazan and we have decided to control any hike in prices,” he added. He informed, as many as 35 fair price shops have been established in the rural and urban areas of the federal capital.
He said that Magistrate and Assistant Commissioner have been deputed at all police stations of the city to check the prices. The Assistant Deputy Commissioner price control said that he is following up on the issue through their ACs and Magistrates and will take action.
The price control authority will release a rate list on daily basis to monitor the price in markets.
“A strict price control mechanism is available. We will not let anybody to violate the rule,” he added.
In case we find any increase, we will take necessary action and impose a fine on the trader or seller.” In the start of Ramazan some traders increase the prices of commodities and this becomes a major cause for concern for every citizen.
“Citizens may call or approach the office of the price control magistrates to lodge a complaint,” said Noaman Yousuf.
“The rise in prices is common during Ramazan and it worries us. Traders try to make huge profits by increasing prices and consumers have to bear the brunt,” said a housewife.
Some citizens attributed price hikes to the rise in consumption of certain food items during Ramazan, while others said it was usually the price of vegetables and fruits that went up.
Other citizens claimed that as the consumption of food items increases during the Holy month, customers have to visit the markets regularly for shopping of commodities for preparation of Sehar and Iftar and as a result suppliers take advantage of this situation by increasing prices of essential food items.
The demand and supply gap is used by sellers to increase the prices of essential items. Some people have complained that the rise in prices is more on vegetables and fruits.