Danishwar Hameed
KULGAM: In a decisive move to curb profiteering and black marketing during the holy month of Ramadan, the District Administration of Kulgam launched an intensified market inspection drive on Thursday. The operation, aimed at ensuring the availability of essential commodities at government-approved rates, saw special checking teams cracking down on unfair trade practices ahead of the significant upcoming occasions of Jumat-ul-Vida, Shab-e-Qadr, and Eid-ul-Fitr.
The drive was conducted under the directives of Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, Athar Aamir Khan, with close supervision by Tehsildar Kulgam, Bilal Ahmad. The initiative focused on preventing hoarding, price manipulation, and other forms of exploitation in local markets, ensuring that prices remained reasonable for the consumers.
Inspection teams included officials from a range of departments, such as Revenue, Police, Food Safety, Municipal Council Kulgam (MCK), FCS&CA, Animal Husbandry, and the Legal Metrology Department. These teams inspected various outlets and markets to ensure fair pricing and quality standards, in line with government regulations.
The district administration stressed the importance of adhering to ethical business practices during the holy month, urging vendors and traders to maintain transparency. Authorities issued a stern warning against any violations of pricing regulations and promised strict action against those found guilty of hoarding, overpricing, or selling substandard goods.
In addition, the public has been encouraged to report any incidents of profiteering or subpar goods to the concerned authorities for swift resolution. The administration remains committed to protecting consumers and ensuring a peaceful and fair market environment during this important period.
