LAYYAH, Jan 16: The district government has failed to check black-marketing and profiteering. Vendors and shopkeepers sell flour, vegetables and fruit at higher than prescribed rates, without any fear.

To add to common man's miseries, local flour mills are supplying substandard flour in the market. People belonging to the middle class have alleged that the district administration has been playing the role of a silent spectator.

They demanded that the Punjab governor and the chief minister should take notice of the situation and take steps to control price hike besides action against the profiteers.