A large number of visitors have complained that shopkeepers at Lake View Park, Pir Sohawa Shakarparian, Daman-e-koh and Yasmin Gardens are not following the prescribed rate list and charging from customers on their own. They seemed perturbed over skyrocketing prices of edible items being sold at stalls of the picnic spots while authorities concerned looked least interested to address the problem. The rates of chips, biscuits, burgers, soft drinks, mineral water and other items were almost double as compared to open markets. A visitor Zaheer Khan alleged that there was no check on the prices of food and other items available in the tourist resorts. While, families visiting the different locations complained that overcharging, sale of substandard food items and non-availability of quality items were main features of vendors as the concerned authorities failed to control the quality and rates of the commodities.
People demanded of the authorities to take action against the violators. When contacted, an official told APP that management regularly check the quality and prices of edible items being sold in vicinity of the facility.
He said the administration would take stern action against those shopkeepers who were found involved in selling substandard items or overcharging. A vendor at Pir Sohawa admitting the overcharging said, “it is difficult for us to sale the items at the open market rate as we have to pay the rent of the stall which is high as compared to markets.”
The visitors also complained of the high entry fee being charged at the parks varying between Rs. 20 to Rs. 40. People were seeing arguing with the management at parking areas that why the rate is so high, while the staff deployed said they have nothing to do with fixation of entry fee, adding “it is the decision of high-ups.”
They said after charging heavy entry fee, the security guards do not accept responsibility in case of vehicle thefts. They said, “The authority has written very clearly at the board displayed at the entry of the gate that the authority is only taking entry fee and is not responsible for the security of their vehicles.” The families visiting the lake view has to pay extra money from Rs. 20 to 50 if they visit different areas of the park.
