Price control system in Chitral
In Indian subcontinent majority of reforms have been introduced by Muslim emperors who start from Sultanate Period and culminate in the era of Mughal Dynasty. Muslim emperors were genius and their reformative initiatives are still regarded as perfect and even in use in large area of the sub-continent. During Sultanate period price control system was introduced and even emperor of the time personally takes interest in this matter so that relief could be provided to the people. During Ghayasudin Bulbun period those merchants who were defying set rules were severely punished and even in some instances they were exposed to harsh corporal punishment so that writ of government is restored in the area. Sher Shah Suri the great and highly intellectual emperor introduced land revenue system, coinage system and land measurement system etc which were so popular and based on scientific technique that they are regarded as perfect even now that is in 21stpolitical acumen is still regarded as matchless and non in the Muslim world have the caliber to establish such governance. It also goes to the credit of that time emperor that they ruled Hindu Majority areas for hundreds of years and public consisting diverse set of mind and religion were not only happy with the emperor but they were fighting for their emperor in numbers of battles. When downfall in Muslim society started it not only affected leadership but it harshly paralyzed entire fabric of governance. Akbar Azam established exemplary peaceful governance in the entire subcontinent but we are not in a position to establish writ of the government in Karachi only, in 21st though we have resources and state of the art technology plus sophisticated weaponries. In Mughal era people of diverse religions co-existed in the same state and they were living in complete peace and harmony. Baluchistan and Tribal areas are in grip of serious tension and Osama Bin Laden have been detected by US intelligence agencies from Abbotabad after prolong investigation but our agencies are busy in settling their score with GEO TV and organizing public demonstration against the private TV channels across the country. We are afraid that enemy agencies will capitalize this time and further spread their tentacles in the country to achieve their objectives because our agencies are fighting with private channels and busty in pity issues. Oh, I want to say something about price control system in Chitral but I went too away and entangled thorny national issues un-intentionally because these are the issues which are disturbing us time and again. We have to live and die in this mother land, as our political leaders and establishment personals have dual nationalities and they will shift from this unfortunate country amid any eventuality but we have to survive here for good. That is why we are thinking about the deteriorating situation in the country. After end of Musharaf era he went to UK and settled there his PM Shaukat Aziz is also living in foreign country, his finance minister Hafiz Sheikh etc all are living in foreign countries but we have to stay here which make us emotional about the issues faced by our country this time in the hands of a few opportunist class who are at helm of affairs this time. Sir I would like to ask one question from District Administration Chitral, There is one Deputy Commissioner, One Additional Deputy Commissioner, One Assistant Commissioner and Two Additional Assistant Commissioners who are calling the shoot from capital of district. A few days back one price list about fare of vehicle in town Chitral and surrounding valleys have been reported in this site in century. Jalaludin Akbar administration and his which revised rate has been fixed for the given rout and destination. Public were happy that at last government took action against the price distorters and people will avail a little bit relief. But all the hopes of the people dashed to ground that the said taxi fare has not been implemented not in a single rout of Chitral. If Five so called Commissioner Type government functionaries number mentioned above with administrative and magistracy powers do not have the capacity to control taxi fares from Chitral Town to Jughoor or Bakarabad or Drosh than what is the need of this armies of government servants at the cost of scarce public exchequer??? Irony of the matter is that people are paying tax but their tax income is siphoned off on the lavish expenditure of bureaucracy, their lavish life style on their vehicle and fuel etc but in return that bureaucracy is not in a position and also not interested in giving relief to public through controlling price in the market which is directly related with the welfare of the general public. I think government officials will not take notice of this situation and we do not expect from these people to have interest in public matters, I ask general audience what is the next option with the people if government functionaries do not perform their duties after consuming heavy tax income of the citizens on their perks and privileges, on office and vehicles plus fuels? Imad ud Din Torkhow, Chitral]]>
Agreed with Nasir Mehmood. There ACs are busy in uploading pictures on Face Book rather than focusing on the real issues in providing relief to common man. The new Deputy Commissioner is requested to please check and evaluate the performance of the ACs and Tehsildars in Chitral. Some of the Tehsildars are working in the district since many years are their reputation is well known especially in the last elections.
Excellent description of the situation prevailing in Chitral. It is very interesting to note here that the taxi fares fixed by DC Chitral has been turned down and administration not even taken notice of the situation. Armies of commissioner type public servants lavishly enjoying perks and privileges from the hard earned tax income of the citizens but their contribution in giving relief to the people is equal to zero.
The heading of ur piece should be something else rather than “price…… control system in chitral.’ Because there is no even minute relation between heading and the text which follows. The certain system of Chitral-which u intend to shed light upon- has no where been highlighted in ur text except in the heading.Perhaps you may manage it in some next part of ur writing
Further, let me correct another thing for your information. It was not during the Ghayasuddin Balban’s period that merchants were subjected to harsh measures in case of non-compliance with the rules as enacted by the regime. Price control system was not the headache of Balban.It was during the period of Allauddin Khilji that a thorough price control system was introduced with clearly defined rules.Anyone defying the rules of business were subjected to severe penalties.Ziauddin Barani a contemporary historian of Allauddin Khilji write extensively in his book about the price control system.
Khilji was the only ruler in the history of Subcontinent to introduce efficient economic reforms, that is why Lanepole calls him a great “political economist”.Under his price control system, Khilji fixed the prices of even insignificant commodities like Comb, caps, needles, vegs etc.Severe punishment were inflicted on the violators.
If possible provide a copy of Barani’s description of the said price control system to the AC of ur area,it may help the AC in some way to control prices of commodities in your area.