PULWAMA: To curb the practice of exorbitant profiteering and over pricing in wake of the holy month of Ramadan, the District Administration Pulwama has intensified market checking drives across the district.

The drive was conducted on the directions of the Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Dr Basharat Qayoom, to ensure all essential commodities are sold at Government approved rates as per the quality standards with sufficient availability of consumables. The inspections aimed to verify price lists, assess hygiene standards, check the quality of goods and prevent black marketing.

The checking squads headed by Tehsildar concerned and Officers from MC, FCS&CA and Legal Metrology Departments conducted intensive market checking in various tehsils of the district and inspected various markets within their jurisdiction.

During the inspection, the teams inspected business units including bakery, confectionery, grocery, vegetable, fruits, milk, meat and chicken selling shops. The teams also inspected several food processing units to check hygienic conditions while the date of manufacture, use-by date etc was also checked.

The perishable items found unfit for consumption were disposed-off on the spot and unauthorized polythene bags were seized. Furthermore, a total fine of Rs. 4000 was recovered from erring shopkeepers for violating different provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act.

The authorities urged all vendors to adhere strictly to the prescribed guidelines to ensure hygiene, cleanliness and public health safety and warned them of strict action against any malpractice.