Cabinet committee to bring down prices: CM Punjab

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that the measures taken by the government for stabilizing prices of essential items are yielding positive results, however, a lot is still to be done. He said that cabinet committee should play an active role for bringing down prices and visit vegetable markets and bazaars to review rates of essential commodities and take all necessary steps to keep the prices of necessary items within the reach of the common man. He said that no one would be allowed to fix prices of necessary items arbitrarily. He said that besides stabilizing the prices, production of agri items would have to be increased as well so that shortage of vegetables and pulses could be controlled in future.

He was presiding over a high level meeting to review prices of essential commodities in the province, here today. Provincial Ministers Bilal Yasin, Dr. Farrukh Javed, Muhammad Shafique, Special Assistant Arshad Jutt, Assembly Members, Chief Secretary, Inspector General Police, Additional Chief Secretary, concerned secretaries, Commissioner Lahore Division and senior officers were present.

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that provision of relief to the common man is the prime responsibility of the government and the cabinet committee should perform its responsibilities in this regard with a national spirit. He said that concerned departments should also work hard to bring down prices of vegetables, fruits, pulses and other items for the benefit of the citizens. Shahbaz Sharif said that cabinet committee as well as Chief Secretary and Inspector General Police should pay visits to three districts a week for personally monitoring the prices.

He said that his aircraft and helicopter would be available for monitoring of prices in various districts. He said that cabinet committee should ensure abundant supply of essential commodities. He said that honest and hardworking price control magistrates be posted who should pay visits to markets and bazaars and submit a report on daily basis. He directed that concerned police should accompany price control magistrates during their visit to markets and bazaars for checking the prices. The Chief Minister directed that implementation of the decision regarding setting up of Sastay Bazaars three days a week throughout the province be ensured at any cost and no compromise be made on the quality of fruits, vegetables and pulses in Sastay Bazars. He said that concerned ministers would be responsible for supply of quality items in Sastay Bazars and would submit a report. He directed that administrative officers should monitor the process of fixing of rates of agri items in markets and take immediate action to curb profiteering.

Shahbaz Sharif said that in order to ensure better returns to the farmers for their produce, the system of direct sale of agric items in agri markets be further improved and the role of middleman be eliminated at any cost. He said that Commissioners, RPOs, DPOs and other officers should check prices in agri market at 4:00am early in the morning three times a week. The Chief Minister ordered immediate removal of Chairmen Market Committees involved in corruption besides initiating action against them under the law without any discrimination. He also issued instructions for giving a final shape to the proposed law for further activating market committees and directed that the cabinet committee should review the draft of the law and submit a final report. He said that Agriculture Department should submit a comprehensive plan for increasing production of vegetables and pulses as well as provision of facilities to the cultivators.

He said that the plan should cover the future needs while a strategy should be evolved for implementation of the project of tunnel farming. He directed Food Department to consider setting up of stock exchange for easy availability of pulses at reasonable rates throughout the year and said that cooperation of private sector be sought for this purpose so that steps could be taken in advance to control shortage of pulses in future. He said that a project should be devised for cultivation of vegetables and fruits during off-season and modern technology be used for this purpose.

The Chief Minister directed Punjab Information Technology Board that in addition to online monitoring system of the fixed prices, a comprehensive system should also be evolved for promoting awareness among the citizens about the rates of essential commodities. He said that digital technology should be used for monitoring efficiency of the staff deputed for checking of prices as well as that of the field staff. He said that the concerned departments would have to perform their responsibility with commitment and efficiency so that necessary items could be made available to the citizens at reasonable rates. He said that no laxity or negligence would be tolerated in this regard.

The Chief Minister also ordered stern action against the petrol pumps involved in overcharging and said that the pump owners looting the citizens deserve no leniency. He said that DCOs and DPOs would be responsible for curbing overcharging by patrol pumps in their respective areas. Secretary Industry, Secretary Food and Special Secretary Agriculture gave detailed briefings to the meeting regarding prices and supply of vegetables, fruits, pulses, flour and other essential commodities.