KUPWARA, APRIL 8: In order to provide essential commodities on government fixed rates and to avoid hoarding, black marketing and profiteering during the holy month of Ramadan, market checking drives have been intensified in various markets across Kupwara district.The teams constituted by Deputy Commissioner Kupwara consist of officers from Revenue, Food, Municipality and Police are continuously inspecting respective markets of the district. Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Handwara, Nazir Ahmad Mir alongwith team of officers today conducted a market checking drive in Handwara town. During the drive, Rs.2800 fine was imposed on 12 erring shopkeepers for violation of Government rate list and selling expired food items. The shopkeepers fined include 10 vegetable and 2 confectionary vendors who were warned for legal action if found violating the norms. On the occasion, the ADC warned the shopkeepers to avoid selling of commodities on exorbitant prices otherwise action under rules will be taken against them. He said that the market checking drive will continue in coming days to ensure sale of commodities at fixed price to the consumers. Market checking was also conducted in different markets of Kupwara town under the supervision of Tehsildar Kupwara and AD Food. Meanwhile, market checking drives have been intensified in major markets of the district to tighten the nose of erring shopkeepers indulging themselves in profiteering, black marketing, adulteration and other unlawful trading practices. So far the market drives have been held in Kupwara, Trehgam, Tangdar, Sogam, Diver and other markets of the district. The teams realised fine from the erring shopkeepers who were found violating the rate list, food safety and other norms.
