LAHORE: The Punjab Food Safety and Consumer Protection Department has imposed fines amounting to Rs11.56 million in a recent campaign against profiteering and overcharging within the province. The department’s actions targeted shopkeepers failing to adhere to official price lists and those engaging in hoarding practices.

According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Punjab, Food Safety Secretary Dr. Kiran Khursheed reported that price control magistrates carried out 433,511 inspections across Punjab over the past week. These inspections resulted in 20,245 violations being identified, leading to substantial fines. Legal proceedings were initiated against 2,151 shopkeepers for not displaying official price lists, with 81 cases registered and 323 individuals arrested in connection to overcharging practices.

Dr. Khursheed highlighted that specific attention was given to those exceeding the fixed price of bread, with 4,513 violations detected and Rs591,500 in fines imposed. Additionally, 18,018 inspections focused on chicken prices yielded Rs429,011 in fines for overcharging, with 45 cases registered.

The inspection efforts extended to 14,939 locations to monitor pulse prices, uncovering 935 instances of overcharging. Meanwhile, the Price Monitoring PERA Force conducted 91,084 inspections over the week, evaluating 407 markets and inspecting flour, vegetable, and ghee prices. This led to 935 cases of overcharging in flour prices and 533 cases related to profiteering. The PERA Force reported 1,849 overcharging cases and imposed fines totaling Rs6.279 million.

Furthermore, 14 business premises were sealed on the spot for profiteering and hoarding activities. Dr. Khursheed assured that the department’s ongoing measures against overcharging and artificial inflation aim to ensure the availability of goods at officially fixed prices for consumers throughout Punjab.