Amraiz Khan
Divisional Commissioner Zulfiqar Ghuman has set up a monitoring team and a special cell to check performance of price control magistrates (PCMs). The step has been taken in view of the ongoing campaign against profiteering and hoarding to provide relief to the masses. The commissioner has also sought performance reports of all Price Control Magistrates and lists of respective police stations.
Commissioner Zulfiqar Ghuman formed teams headed by Additional Commissioner Sheikh Aftab and Director Development Saadat Ahmed. The monitoring teams will review performance with documentary evidence twice a week.
Additional Commissioner Aman Anwar Qadwai said that posting of official price lists, availability of items and checking of magistrates would be reviewed.
According to officials record, there are only 53 price control magistrate for a population of 11 million, which lay bare the fact behind the actual situation in the city. Following this serious deficit, it has been decided to increase the number of price control magistrates and keep a close watch on the mobile app to curb inflation.
The Home Department has been approached to increase the number of Price Control Magistrates from 53 to 200.
Currently, due to expiry of special judicial powers, the magistrates are limited to issue warnings and fines only. The monitoring of magistrate has been decided following complaints of shopkeepers and citizens.
The task of strict monitoring of operations has been handed over to Shahid Mehboob, Administrative Officer to upload activities of the magistrates like how many areas they visit and how much fined imposed. In collaboration with PITB, the operations will be uploaded on the DC’s portal on daily basis.
