Jalandhar, Nov 24, 2021 (Yes Punjab News)
In a bid to ensure availability of sand to people within stipulated rates, Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori today announced reward worth Rs. 25,000 for stings exposing overcharging in the district. Thori also warned that the overcharging on sand prices, if found, would be also dealt strictly.
Soliciting support from general public to end this illegal practice, the Deputy Commissioner urged them to conduct maximum stings so that appropriate action could be initiated. He further clarified that the reward would be given only in cases where such stings would lead to registration of FIRs against the violators on the basis of video evidence.
Underscoring the need to implement the state’s new sand & gravel policy in letter and spirit, the deputy commissioner said that the benefit of this pro-people initiative could only be extended to public if all stakeholders strictly adhere to the retail price cap fixed by the district administration a few days back. He catagorically mentioned that FIR would be lodged against persons found violating the price cap fixed by the district administration.
The DC added that people could send the videos recorded by them on overcharging at WhatsApp number 9501799068 for further action.
Notably, on the directives of DC Ghanshyam Thori a special meeting was called by the administration with prominent transporters, mining contractors, retailers where retail prices of sand were fixed on a consensus basis.
Thori further added that during the meeting it was unanimously decided that the sand would be made available at retail outlets at Rs.15 per cubic feet (excluding transportation charges to consumers location) in the municipal area of Jalandhar city, likewise at Rs. 11.5 in Phillaur, Nakodar, Noormahal, at Rs. 11 in Mehatpur, Shahkot, Rs. 12 in Bilga, Lohian, Rs. 13 in Goraya and Kartapur (from Beas), and Rs. 15 in Adampur and Alawalpur municipal areas. If any shopkeeper found charging beyond these fixed rates, they would be booked on the basis of video evidence recorded against them, he added. He also mentioned that the rates fixed by the administration are for retail counters and customers have to bear transportation expenses to further get the sand delivered at their locations.
The Deputy Commissioner also called for maximum stings for ensuring proper implementation of government rates at grass route level as it was done during the Covid-19 pandemic to curtail the black-marketing and overcharging of drugs and equipments required in the treatment of Covid-19 patients.
Pertinently, the DC had announced cash reward in case of overcharging in Covid-19 related drugs, which yielded fruitful results as aware citizens had conducted stings against profiteers, thereby forcing shopkeepers to sell such medicines and equipments at fixed rates.
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