Not a single hoarder and profiteer has ever been incarcerated until today under the statute introduced some 48 years ago against profiteering.
Act against hoarding was introduced in 1977 according to which a seller guilty of charging more than permitted for different products could go to jail for up to three years. Section seven of the law further refers to the imposition of fine ranging to up to Rs 0.1 million.
But in contrast to the ideal situation, hoarders ‘cut a deal’ with district administrations and the law is mocked.
Statistics show that not a single culprit has served jail term since the imposition of the law. Experts have stressed a check on the institutions and authorities concerned so that they take action against profiteers.
It is being reported in light of the ongoing Ramzan and prices of eatables in different markets across the country have increased but no action is being taken.
