Rs11.56m fines imposed for overcharging, hoarding

In a crackdown against price gouging and hoarding, the Punjab Food Safety and Consumer Protection Department imposed fines totaling Rs11.56 million in the past week. Punjab Food Safety Secretary Dr. Kiran Khurshid revealed that 20,245 violations were reported during the inspection drive, resulting in fines amounting to Rs11,561,915.

Additionally, legal action was taken against 2,151 shopkeepers for failing to display official price lists. An impressive 81 cases were registered, and 323 people were arrested in connection with overcharging-related offenses.

The department also conducted inspections to ensure the fixed prices of bread were adhered to, leading to 4,513 violations and fines amounting to Rs591,500. To check chicken prices, 18,018 inspections were conducted, resulting in fines totaling Rs429,011 and the registration of 45 cases. Furthermore, 14,939 locations were inspected for pulse prices, uncovering 935 cases of overcharging.

The Price Monitoring PERA Force, tasked with monitoring prices, carried out 91,084 inspections throughout the week and checked 407 markets. They found 13,000 cases of flour overcharging and 533 instances of profiteering. Similarly, they inspected vegetable and ghee prices, uncovering 237 cases of overcharging. Dr. Khurshid reported that the PERA Force reported 1,849 cases of overcharging and imposed a total fine of Rs6.279 million.

In addition to fines, price control magistrates also seized 14 business premises on the spot for engaging in profiteering and hoarding. Dr. Khurshid emphasized that such action against overcharging and artificial inflation would continue across Punjab to ensure consumers' access to food items at officially fixed prices.