Minister Food is responsible for price hike:CM Minister Punjab

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that due to effective price control mechanism and the measures taken by the government, prices of essential items have stabilized to some extent. He said that overcharging of even single penny will not be tolerated in the price of flour, pulses, vegetables and other eatables. He directed that special attention be paid to maintaining a balance between supply and demand of essential items as well as stability of the prices and no effort be spared in the provision of high quality food items to the masses at the fixed rates. He said that besides the heads of concerned departments, Provincial Ministers will also be accountable in this regard.

He was presiding over a meeting of price control committee to review prices of essential items, here today. Provincial Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, Bilal Yaseen, Dr. Farrukh Javed, Muhammad Shafiq, Special Assistant Asad Jutt, MNAs, MPAs, Inspector General Police, Additional Chief Secretary, Chairman Planning & Development, concerned secretaries,   commissioner Lahore Division and senior officials were present.

He said that he will personally preside over the meeting of Provincial Price Control Committee for monitoring the prices of essential commodities and their supply and demand on daily basis. He said that Assembly Members, Commissioners and DCOs should pay regular visits to the markets and concerned departments should perform their duties efficiently to show results.

The meeting decided to hold Sunday/Sastay Bazars thrice a week for the supply of quality essential items to the masses at cheaper rates in the province. Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that Punjab is an agricultural province and is known as a green basket of Pakistan but still the common man is searching for such common vegetables as tomatoes, onions and potatoes while the concerned institutions are indifferent. He said that this situation will not be tolerated. He said that the nature has bestowed us an excellent climate and fertile lands and three crops can be obtained in a year.

He said that agriculture, livestock and food departments should present a short, medium and long term plan for the whole year and the concerned departments will have to produce results. He directed that provision of quality essential items at the fixed rate should be ensured to the people while profiteering should be discouraged. He said that indiscriminate action should be taken against hoarders and profiteers and added that there is a need for formation of market committees system.

He ordered that stern action be taken against corrupt administrators, secretaries and other officials and besides removing them from their posts, cases be also registered against them. He directed that payment to cotton growers for their produce be ensured and action initiated against the sugar mills not making timely payments to the farmers for sugarcane.

The Chief Minister directed Secretary Agriculture to submit an effective plan for increasing the area of cultivation of pulses as well as safeguarding the production of farmers. He said that farmers be facilitated in the direct sale of their produce in agri-markets. The Chief Minister also directed that a report be submitted in the next meeting regarding progress on the project of kitchen gardening and the results produced so far. He said that all wings of food, livestock and agriculture departments be fully activated. He said that the extension staff of agriculture department should promote awareness about cultivation of vegetables.

The Chief Minister directed Secretary Labour to ensure effective checking of weight and measures and stern action be taken against the elements involved in short measuring. He directed that Chairman Punjab Information Technology Board should evolve an effective system of reliable public feedback. He said that a briefing be given in the next meeting regarding the measures taken for controlling adulteration in food items.

The Chief Minister directed that action be taken without any discrimination against the petrol pumps involved in overcharging of petroleum products. He warned that overcharging at petrol pumps will not be tolerated. He directed administration and concerned authorities to take action under the law against the petrol pumps involved in overcharging without taking into account any pressure or influence.

Earlier, Secretary Industries gave briefing on the prices and supply and demand of necessary items while Secretary Agriculture informed about kitchen gardening, cultivation of pulses, vegetables and fruits as well as proposed programmes of agriculture department.