Overcharging by shopkeepers goes unchecked at bus stand

Avneet Kaur

Jalandhar, May 20

Passengers are a harried lot as eatables, beverages and various articles are being sold at exorbitant prices by shop and kiosk owners on the premises of the city bus stand.

According to commuters, owners of shops and kiosks are selling their articles at 20 to 30 per cent higher rates than the maximum retail price (MRP). Besides, food articles are sold in the open and many of these are stale and substandard, which is an open invitation to diseases in summer.

Jashanjeet Singh, a passenger, said, “Overcharging at the city bus stand has become a routine affair and passengers can be seen buying articles without questioning the prices. If a passenger tries to negotiate with a shop owner about the price, he ends up entering into a verbal spat with him.”

Passengers have alleged that the authorities have failed to keep a check on the shop and kiosk owners selling articles at very high prices. “We have never seen any checking on the bus stand premises to stop vendors charging hefty prices,” said another passenger Kamna Singh.

Navtej Bhullar, another passenger, said, “A mineral water bottle, which is available in the market at Rs 20, is being sold at Rs 25. The MRP of a 300 ml cold drink is Rs 15, but it is being sold here at Rs 20. Similarly, the MRP of a 750 ml cold drink is Rs 35, but it is being sold here for Rs 40-45. Snacks are also sold at more that their MRP by shop owners. A chips packet, which costs Rs 20 outside, is being sold at Rs 25 at both the bus stand and the railway station.”

Shop and kiosk owners at the bus stand say they have to pay a high rent for their shops. If they do not increase the rates of their articles, it will become very difficult for them to pay monthly rent to the authorities.

Station supervisor, Sukhvinder Singh, said, “The station inspector is taking care of all these activities and has already warned the shop and kiosk owners to not sell their eatables, beverages and other articles at more than their MRP.”

He said they would take strict action against those shop owners who sold their articles at more than the listed prices. He said a meeting in this regard would be called soon and necessary action taken.