Shopkeepers warned against overcharging, hoarding

BOONI: Shopkeepers in Upper Chitral have been warned of action in case of overcharging and hoarding during Ramazan and coronavirus lockdown.

The district administration of Upper Chitral has warned shopkeepers in different areas to avoid hoarding and overcharging otherwise strict action would be taken against them.

These directions were issued to the shopkeepers during visits to markets by Additional Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Irfan Uddin and Additional Assistant Commissioner Mastuj Muazzam Khan along with Tehsildar Rab Nawaz Khan.

The officers during the visits also checked prices and quality of essential commodities.

They directed the shopkeepers not to violate the lists of commodities issued by the district administration for Ramazan.

The officers have been undertaking such visits and inspections on the direction of Deputy Commissioner Shah Saud, says a press release.

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, most of the markets are closed as a precautionary measure and those allowed business are open only from 8am to 4pm in Ramazan.

The new schedules of the shop opening in remote villages do not go well with the owners as well as the customers. Many residents in Yarkhun villages complained that the police were imposing heavy fines on those who opened their shops after 4pm.

But the government has allowed its own utility stores to do business till 8pm. They are also allowed to open early – at 6am. They said rules should be applicable on all irrespective of whether the shops are owned by private people of the government.

They also contended that there were more crowding in utility stores while small shops in villages hardly attracted more than two or three people at a time.