Assembly members to play their role to stop price hike:CM Punjab

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan Muslim League-N government is determined to solve the national issues and provide maximum relief to the masse. He said that the government is engaged in national reconstruction with new spirit and government is implementing revolutionary programmes of billions of rupees for the welfare of low-income segments of the society. He said that the aim of all steps being taken by the government for the progress and prosperity of the nation is to bring improvement and comfort in the life of common man.

Shahbaz Sharif said that a solid strategy has been adopted for launching new energy projects and foreign investors have shown keen interest in new the projects of generating energy through traditional and alternative sources and Punjab government has made agreements with investors of China, Germany, Qatar, Canada and other country in this regard. He expressed the hope that with the speedy implementation on these agreements, the government will soon succeed in bringing the nation out of darkness. The Chief Minister said that due to governmental steps, prices of essential items especially vegetables are stabilizing. He said that no one would be allowed to overcharge than the rates fixed by market committees He asked elected representatives to keep a watchful eye on the hoarders and profiteers.

He was talking to Assembly Members of various districts here today who apprised him about the progress in development schemes and other problems of their respective areas.

Speaking to the elected representatives,  Shahbaz Sharif said that country is facing a number of problems but resources are limited. However, he said, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif wants to make the economy of the country strong instead of depending upon foreign aids like previous governments. He said that the economy country will be strengthened through the policy of trade instead of aid and new job opportunities will be created.

He said that the exports of the country will increase substantially after granting the status of GPS Plus to Pakistan by the European Union which will result in creating new jobs opportunities in the country. He said that ridding the nation and the country of energy crisis is mission of the government and it is taking rapid steps for copying with problem of energy shortage.

The Chief Minister said that special incentives are being given to the foreign investors to invest in energy sector in Punjab. He said that the projects for generating energy from coal, solar, biomass, biogas, bagasse, hydle and other sources are being implemented expeditiously.

Shahbaz Sharif said that provincial government is taking all necessary steps to keep the prices of vegetables, fruits, pulses and other essential items within the reach of common man and due to the governmental steps prices of essential items are strengthening in the province. However, there is still need to do a lot, he added. He said that the scope of Sastay Bazaars is being extended in the province and administrations all over the province have been directed to install Sastay Bazaars thrice a week where edibles items would be available to the people at cheaper rates and 20kg atta bag at ex-mill rate.

The Chief Minister said that the PML-N leadership is fully aware of the challenges and difficulties being faced by the country, that is why, government is working round the clock to bring the people out of quagmire of problems. He said that a number of revolutionary programmes have been started for providing relief to the people. He said that billions of rupees are being spent on the provision of health, education, transport, houses and other basic amenities to the people and bringing the less-privileged segments of the society into mainstream of development. He said that planning has been made to provide direct targeted subsidy for lessening the burden of price-hike on the low-income families which will be implemented soon.

Shahbaz Sharif said that the scholarships are being provided to more than 50 thousand talented but poor male and female students through Punjab Educational Endowment Fund so that despite financial constraints, they could continue their studies. He said that Punjab government has decided to set up Punjab Rozegar Bank in the province for the provision of loans to the youth on soft terms for starting their own business.

He said that health insurance scheme is being launched for the provision of quality health facilities to the people and its scope is being extended throughout the province. He said that the revolutionary project of Punjab Land Record Information Management System will be completed by 2014 to promote good governance and eliminate corruption in the province.

He said that after the completion of this project, patwar culture with regard to obtaining transfer deed of the land and “Fard” will be eliminated and ownership deed of the land will be available to the people within 30 minutes without any bribe.

Shahbaz Sharif directed Assembly Members to also play their due role in government steps for providing relief to the people and supplement the efforts of the government for stabilizing prices of edibles items. Assembly Members expressed their satisfaction that the prices of vegetables and fruits are being stabilizing and elected representatives are also keeping an eye over the situation in this regard.