Hyderabad : Senior Vice President, Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders & Small Industry (HCSTSI) Ahmed Idrees Chohan, chaired an emergency meeting of the All Hyderabad Grocery & General Store Representatives held at the Chamber Secretariat. The meeting was attended by grocery store owners, retailers, and general store representatives from across the city.
During the meeting, the traders strongly protested against the conduct of officers and their representatives during price list inspections. They raised serious concerns over inappropriate behavior, forced sealing of shops, and the collection of fines in cash instead of through official banking channels. The traders also criticized the Deputy Commissioner’s Office for issuing price lists without consulting relevant business representatives, resulting in unrealistic pricing that fails to reflect market realities.
The participants highlighted that the prices of many essential commodities fluctuate daily and, in some cases, even hourly. However, the district administration continues to enforce outdated price lists, often two months old, and penalizes traders by sealing their shops and imposing hefty fines. Citing the example of spices, they pointed out that a single item can have more than six different varieties in the market, yet the official price list does not distinguish between them. This discrepancy repeatedly leads to conflicts between the business community and the administration. Addressing the traders' concerns, Senior Vice President Ahmed Idrees Chohan assured them that the Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders & Small Industry has always been at the forefront of
advocating for traders' rights and conveying their grievances to higher authorities and Chamber has
consistently played a key role in seeking solutions. To address these pressing concerns, the Chamber has formed a special committee comprising representatives from wholesalers, retailers, marts, and general stores from different areas of Hyderabad. This committee will accompany the Chamber’s delegation in a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner to formally present their objections and propose practical recommendations before the
issuance of Ramadan price lists. The goal is to ensure a fair and practical pricing framework that prevents unnecessary conflicts between traders and the administration during the holy month. The Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders & Small Industry has urged the government to take immediate steps to engage in meaningful consultations with the business community and to put an end to the unfair treatment of traders. Ensuring a fair and transparent pricing mechanism is crucial to safeguarding business activities and maintaining market stability.
The meeting was attended by Vice President, Shan Sehgal, former President Muhammad Akram Ansari, Sikandar Ali Rajput, Muhammad Yaseen Khilji, Muhammad Umar Eidoo, Muhammad Aslam Ansari, Muhammad Rizwan Ansari, Irfan, Faisal Parekh, Abdul Hafeez, Muhammad Irfan Memon, Shahroz, Farooq Gulzar, and several other business representatives.
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