PRICE CONTROL IN MARKETS

There is District Price Management Committee constituted in 2013 by Provincial Government by which online monitoring mechanism for recording complaints against OVERPROFIT & HOARDING (Buying large amounts of a product with the intension of benefiting from future price rises) in daily essential commodities. A Toll Free number is also allotted to register complaints for over profiting and Deputy Commissioners are responsible to use the system on daily basis. 1500 android phones were given to field staff of various departments including Labor ,Agriculture ,Food and Especial Branch officials for spot checking . District government i.e. Deputy Commissioner is responsible for controlling prices According to Price Control Law i.e. Price Control prevention of over profiting & Hoarding Act 1977 ,the officials are able to issue chalans to shop keepers for over charging customers, Hoarding & Adulteration. They can impose a fine up to 100,000 and send the violators in jail for 72 hours. In addition they have the powers to confiscate the goods. About 60 officials of revenue Department in a district has been granted these powers . Unfortunately every where whether a Super Market ,retailors or those selling fruits & vegetables in carts at various places a huge difference in prices is observed. In supermarkets either price tag is not found at various items or one price tag which is displayed at shelf but other price is entered in their software and that is charged ,as majority of customers do not check the bill handed over to them but if you will check randomly and remember what did you noted displayed at shelf you will find variation as in one day I myself when complained about difference in price displayed on shelf and that shown and charged according to that installed in their computer, on the same spot same day three other gentlemen were complaining to the floor manager and he was excusing that it has been done by mistake. In the same super Market the price tags are not displayed at shelves of some Shampoo, Face wash and other related items when you will enquire the sells Girls (Mostly for these items there are sells girls standing) will answer I do not know please ask from counter .The question is that why prices of these items are not displayed, answer is simple because it varies from one store to other and the decrease in other domestic use items is compensated in these items. This happened three times with me in the same super market but I am avoiding to take name ,as every one prefers to purchase grocery from nearest store to save time and travelling . if you go to fruit and vegetable sellers standing at road side every one has different rate and immediately after negotiation they also decrease price from 300 to 250 or 200 for which they are taking oath first that this is not our purchasing price and say by God we have purchased in this rate. Question is that how they tolerate loss of 100 rupees in my opinion it is totally impossible. No doubt there is some difference in quality of fruits & vegetables but the one who is routine purchaser of these things are very well aware of quality but as there is no check & balance the sellers are enjoying profit of their own wish. As other departments the Price control department is existing and no doubt the officials taking salaries ,Law is there but unfortunately in papers not for implementation, rather it is facilitating in more corruption . The sufferers are poor and daily wages earners there is no problem with upper middle class or high class community who just go in markets full the trolleys and do not check the bill as one of employee of same super market is known me he told that at the end of day when counting cash according to sale there is about Ten to Fifteen thousands extra which we distribute among ourselves ,just think the gravity of situation, it is the amount which we are paying in our negligence this fact confirmed to me when I was charged 10 rupees more for five items the sum was fifty rupees when I randomly checked and complained the sells boy returned me from his own pocket . One sells boy also told me that when our relatives or friends come we give them the things which we need for our self and do not charge in their bill but the commodity is received at our home, means the loss is beard by employer. What should one have to do for both saving our own money and stop corruption 1. Please check receipt before leaving counter. 2. Try to concentrate at counter while packing the grocery as most of us are in hurry. If counter is some times over crowded wait for few minutes. 3. Do not discard receipt before unpacking the grocery. 4. Try to unpack grocery at home as soon as possible. 5. Do complaint at the spot if variation in bill and price written at shelf if every one will practice this it will alarm the administration as single voice is always shut. 6. Be bold to discuss as its your money do not feel shame that what people will say that one is checking prices as only those will care who work hard to earn Halal money . 7. Try to raise voice to district administration repeatedly at least fulfill your duty no matter if response is not given. Ultimately if response will be given if not they will be able to do more corruption as the over profiting persons will be identified to them .