Officials from Dubai's Ministry of Economy imposed penalties on some stores for unfair price hikes, a report said.

A team from the Consumer Protection Department began the Ramadan price monitoring program by visiting a few stores and issued warnings to the shopkeepers to control prices of key food items during the Holy Month, according to a Gulf News report.

'A few shops, about four to five, were penalised during the visit. Their violations were related to price increases, but generally, we are happy with the commitments we got from the retail shops,' one official said.

The official refused to reveal details of the penalties imposed.

Dr Hashim Al Nuaimi, director of the department stated that the government was strict about keeping a tight check on prices during Ramadan.

He also urged consumers to register their complaints against stores which violated the rules, by calling the department's hotline.