DLP Report
PESHAWAR
A video-link meeting was held under the chairmanship of Commissioner Peshawar Division, Riaz Khan Mehsud, to review measures for preventing price gouging and ensuring maximum relief to the public during the holy month of Ramadan.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, and District Food Controllers from all five districts of Peshawar Division including Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda, Mohmand tribal district, and Khyber district, a handout said.
It was decided that during Ramadan, large digital screens will be installed in all major markets, including vegetable and fruit markets, to display official price lists.
These screens will also show complaint cell details and mobile numbers of the concerned Assistant Commissioners, enabling citizens to lodge complaints directly.
Commissioner Riaz Khan Mehsud directed all Deputy Commissioners to establish special control rooms and complaint cells in their offices.
Additionally, special desks comprising Assistant Commissioners and Food Department officials will be set up in markets to address complaints on the spot. Immediate action will be taken against price gougers in the presence of the complainant.
The meeting further decided that prior to Ramadan, Assistant Commissioners and Food Officers will conduct surprise inspections of markets.
Strict action will be taken against hoarders, and confiscated food items will be auctioned at official rates.
Issuing clear instructions, the Commissioner said that during Ramadan, raid teams will conduct inspections five times daily, before Sehri and Iftar, as well as in the morning, noon, and afternoon. Heavy fines will be imposed on violators, shops will be sealed, and no price gouger will be released before Eid.
He also directed Assistant Commissioners to remain present in markets early in the morning to prepare and enforce official price lists. Prices of essential items including groceries, meat, milk, and other food commodities will be re-determined, while meetings of Price Review Committees will be held this week to ensure maximum public relief.
Furthermore, instructions were issued to keep Assistant Commissioners, Additional Assistant Commissioners, Tehsildars, Girdawars, and Patwaris active in the field to ensure effective monitoring.
