SRINAGAR Advisor to the Governor, Khurshid Ahmed Ganai, has issued a fervent appeal to both wholesaler and retailer associations to advise their members to observe self-restraint and collectively decide not to charge more than the prices fixed by the Government.
Ganai, who is Advisor in-charge Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department, made this appeal in light of possible disruptions on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway due to forecast of intermittent rains over the next few days and the holy month of Ramadhan. He said the Government would take all proactive steps to ensure that people do not face any hardships in the availability of essential commodities during Ramadhan.
The Advisor further stated that the prices have been fixed after taking into consideration all market forces which leaves no room for an undue spike in the prices of essential commodities. He warned that strict action will be taken against those wholesalers and retailers who shoot up prices abnormally and violate the rates fixed by the Government.
Div Com reviews market checking, availability of essentials; Several shops sealed, erring traders fined across Kashmir: Officials
In view of holy month of Ramzan, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan Saturday convened a meeting with all Deputy Commissioners of the valley to review progress of market checking, supply position of essential commodities, availability of water and electricity supply across the Valley.
All Deputy Commissioners informed the meeting about the progress report of market checking drives launched in their respective districts.
The meeting was informed that a fine of Rs 15,000 was recovered today and ten shops of profiteers were sealed in Pulwama district. Similarly in Shopian 200 establishments were inspected in and Rs 7000 as fine was realized from erring traders.
In Kulgam fine amount of Rs 39,000 was recovered besides 200 kg of rotten vegetables were also destroyed. It was revealed that in Anantnag district Rs 1.34 lakh fine has been recovered from the erring traders during the drive that started from Monday, besides 270 kg of rotten vegetables were also destroyed by the checking squad. Ten shops were sealed in Bandipora and 43 quintals of rotten fruit and vegetables were also destroyed in the district.
The meeting was also informed that Rs 40,000 fine was realized in Baramulla. Similarly in Kupwara, Rs 1.40 lakh fine was recovered and 4.50 quintals of rotten vegetables were destroyed. The officials of Budgam also informed the meeting that a fine amounting to Rs 73000 fine were realized from erring traders, besides, 110 kg vegetables and 50 litres of expired juices were also destroyed during the process.
Giving the details of market checking drive in Srinagar, the meeting was informed that 213 complaints were received in which 1300 shops and establishments were checked and Rs 2.8 lakh of the fine was recovered from profiteers from Monday.
DCs further informed the meeting that there is adequate stock of essential commodities like ration, LPG and petroleum in their districts.
The Divisional Commissioner asked all Deputy Commissioners to intensify the market checking drive and arrest the profiteers, hoarders and black marketers, besides seal their establishments under the relevant section of the aw.
Div Com said that all Deputy Commissioners would ensure the smooth distribution of essential commodities in the Valley, besides ensure that all shopkeepers should display rate list of essentials at their shops.
The meeting was further informed that 20 lakh birds and 85,000 sheep are available in farms of Animal and Sheep Husbandry departments.
He asked Animal and Sheep Husbandry departments to do health audit of birds and sheep laden trucks at Lower Munda round the clock.
Khan also exhorted upon the SMC authorities to provide better sanitation arrangements, besides installation and repair of street lights in the city and other important religious places.
PDD and PHE officials informed the meeting that they will ensure uninterrupted power and water supply in this holy month.
The Divisional Commissioner stressed on the concerned departments to work with dedication, synergy so that people do not face any inconvenience during the holy month of Ramzaan.
Additional Commissioner Kashmir, Deputy Commissioners of Srinagar and Shopian, Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Controller Legal Metrology Department, Directors of FCS&CA, Urban Local Bodies, Sheep & Animal Husbandry, Chief Engineers of PHE & PHE and other concerned officers were present in the meeting.
Market Checking In Shopian, Bandipora
On the directions of Development Commissioner of Shopian Dr. Owais Ahmad extensive market checking was conducted here at Shopian town during which a fine of Rs 10,200 was realised from erring traders, shopkeepers, butchers and fruit and vegetable vendors.
The market checking was conducted by an interdepartmental team of Revenue, Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs and Food Safety departments. The team headed by Tehsildar Shopian, inspected various establishments, meat shops, bakery shops and milk shops at Hergam, Bonbazar, Batapora, Baghandar and Gol Chakkar.
Rotten food items, fruits, vegetables and dairy products were destroyed on spot. Meanwhile samples of certain food items were also lifted by the team for lab testing for comprehensive quality checking.
The team also impressed upon the traders and vendors to abstain from overcharging, black marketing, hoarding and under scaling of food items and comply with trading/marketing ethics. Directions were passed to the concerned to display rate lists at conspicuous places outside shops for the information of general public. Special instructions were given meat/chicken shop owners and confectioners for ensuring hygienic conditions.
Meanwhile On the directions of Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Shahbaz Ahmad Mirza, a joint market checking squads of various departments today conducted market checking of several markets in the district Bandipora.
During the checking a fine of around Rs 20,000 was collected from erring shopkeepers under different Acts.
Seven joint teams of Legal Metrology, Urban Local Bodies, Food Safety, Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCSCA) and the Department of Revenue under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner Revenue inspected various markets in Bandipora including Gousia Market, Khadim Market, Nowpora, Neberpora, Gulshan Chowk and Jamia Jadeed, Aloosa, Ajas, Sumbal, Hajin and Gurez and conducted surprise check of various shops including vegetable and fruit selling outlets, meat sellers, restaurants, drug stores, roadside vendors and general stores and realized fine of around Rs 20,000 from the erring shopkeepers for overcharging and for violating Legal Metrology Laws and government approved rate list.
Five shops including a chicken shop, mutton shop, vegetable shop, bakery, tea stall and a Kiryana shop were also sealed for overcharging and selling outdated stocks. About four quintals of rotten vegetables were also destroyed during the inspection and 17 kgs of polythene were also seized during the inspection.
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