KARACHI, Sept 27: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that the city government officials with magisterial powers have been directed to check standards of the items of daily use besides controlling their prices.

Speaking at the inauguration of the first model consumer centre at the Anarkali Shopping Centre, Water Pump Chowrangi, on Wednesday, he noted that it was the first time that officials of city government were playing an active role in enforcing measures against profiteering. “Representatives of the Consumer Rights Council (CRC) would also be accompanying the magistrates so that they are able to see the effectiveness of the measures,” he said.

Nazim of Gulberg Town Syed Maud Hayat, CRC President Sharfuddin Memon, Huma Bukhari and a former chairman of the Korangi Association of Trade & Industry Farhanur Rehman were also present on the occasion.

Mr Kamal said that the city government had already established consumer complaint centres in every town where complaints of consumers would be received and forwarded to the concerned magistrate for appropriate action. He stated that the city government had stepped up campaign against profiteering and more than 100 persons had been sent behind the bars for one to 15 days while 700 others were challaned. He announced that action against profiteers would continue round the year. He said representatives of CRC were being given space for offices in city government departments to enhance their output.

He was of the view that public should also feel their responsibility in this regard by not opting for the goods offered on higher rates. He ruled out the perception that substandard items were being sold in the city.

FINES IMPOSED: The city government officials with magisterial powers imposed fines totalling more than Rs0.6 million on 311 shopkeepers and sent

20 behind the bars for overcharging on Wednesday in their campaign against profiteers, according to a CDGK press release.

The amount of fine imposed in different towns on Wednesday was: Saddar Town Rs0.1 million; Lyari Town Rs22,000; Jamshed Town Rs5,000 (one person sent to jail); Korangi Town, Rs15,300; Gulshan Town Rs80,000, Keamari Town’s Zone-II Rs26,500; Baldia Town Rs32,400; Orangi Town Rs19,800 (two persons jailed for five days and asked to pay a fine of Rs2,000); SITE Town Rs8,100; Gulberg Town Rs6,000; North Nazimabad Town Rs54,000; New Karachi Town Rs22,000; Liaquatabad Town Rs41,550 (five offenders were sent to jail for three days); Bin Qasim Town Rs17,000; Gadap Town Rs15,500; Malir Town Rs9,000 (two offenders jailed for two days); Shah Faisal Town Rs27,400; and Landhi Town Rs9,850.

FAIR PRICE MARKETS: The Falahi Anjuman Wholesale Vegetable Market on Wednesday has suggested that the city government should set up at least 36 fair price markets across the metropolis to curb price-hike on a permanent basis.