ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has formed a special committee to ensure sale of edible items, especially vegetables and fruits, at controlled rates during the holy month of Ramazan. “The 20-member committee is headed by deputy commissioner while additional deputy commissioners, naib tehisldars, tehisldar, excise and taxation officers, directors excise and food are among members, who all will have magisterial powers,” city administration spokesman Muhammad Khalid said. He said an effective strategy has been devised to avoid hoarding of edible items and ensure their availability as per approved rate lists, which are issued on daily basis. The Islamabad chief commissioner, he said, had recently held a meeting and directed the committee members to ensure the availability of commodities at controlled rates and take strict action against those found involved in creating artificial shortage and overcharging. The committee members would visit different markets on daily basis to keep an eye on prices during Ramazan and impose heavy fines on violators so that exploitation of public from the hands of profiteers could be avoided. He said additional stalls have been set up at the I-11 fruit and vegetable market, which would remain open round-the-clock during Ramazan, while weekly bazaars at G-9 and G-6 would operate throughout the month without any break. “During first 10 days of the month, as many as 300 percent increased supplies will be ensured at these markets to meet demands of the consumers,” he added. Meanwhile, it has been observed that the situation on ground is contrary to the arrangements made for facilitation of faithful, who are preparing for the fasting month as a variety of fruit has already gone beyond reach of the common man due to exorbitant rates. Citizens of the twin cities have demanded of the authorities concerned to devise an effective strategy to deal with hoarders and profiteers, besides regular checking of measuring and weighing gadgets. During visit of different markets including Aabpara, Sitaraa Market, Khanna Pull and Kurri Road, it was witnessed that apple was being sold at Rs 120 per kilogram, banana Rs 120 per dozen, melon Rs 35 per kg and peach Rs 200 per kg against the rates fixed by the ICT of Rs 80, Rs 95, Rs 25 and Rs 100 respectively. Asghar Abbasi, a buyer at the Aabpara market, said it seems that no mechanism of price control exists as shopkeepers and stallholders are busy in selling edible items at their own rates, setting aside approved price lists. Although, he said, the district administration has established additional stalls at its seven weekly bazaars to facilitate the people, but it would be a futile exercise if proper relief was not provided to the common man by ensuring quality and quantity of commodities at subsidized rates. Another costumer at Kurri Road market, Saleem Khan, said it was unfortunate that prices of edibles had gone up ahead of the holy month of Ramazan, pointing out that B-category vegetables and fruits were being sold at the rate of A-category items. An official of the Rawalpindi city administration said FIRs were being registered against profiteers besides imposing heavy fines on them. Published in Daily Times, May 17th 2018.