Police to make sure sale of essential items on controlled rate:CM Punjab

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that due to the timely steps of Punjab government, prices of essential items have stabilized. He directed that all concerned departments should continue their proactive role for providing relief to the common man. He said that RPOs and DCOs should remain present at the time of auction of vegetables in the markets. He said that indiscrimination action should be taken against the hoarders and profiteers.

The Chief Minister directed that the helpline set up for redressal of complaints of the people should be made functional at the earliest whereas sahulat centres should also be set up for immediate redressal of public complaints in sastay bazaars and vegetable markets. While taking immediate notice of not auctioning vegetables in the market, he ordered suspension of acting Chairman Market Committee Rahim Yar Khan.

He was presiding over a high level meeting for reviewing the prices of essential items today. Provincial Ministers Dr. Farrukh Javed, Muhammad Shafique, Special Assistant Arshad Jutt, Members National and Provincial Assembly, Chief Secretary, Inspector General Police, Additional Chief Secretary, concerned secretaries, Commissioner Lahore Division, Additional IG Special Branch and other concerned officials attended the meeting. The meeting reviewed in detail prices of daily use items throughout the province.

Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that administration, police and elected representatives should visit bazaars, markets and vegetable markets to monitor the prices of edible items. He said that the supply of eatable items including pulses and fruit should be improved. He asked the members of cabinet committee, Chief Secretary and Inspector General Police to visit three districts in a week and submit a report in this regard.

The Chief Minister directed that the rates of essential items should be displayed speciously at shops and markets. He said that special uniform should be prepared for the staff of market committees throughout Punjab including Lahore. He said that setting up of model bazaars at tehsil level should be considered and the Kahna Kacha Vegetable Market of Lahore should be made a model market.

Shahbaz Sharif also directed to set up small sastay bazaars at mohalla level throughout Punjab including provincial metropolis and added that provision of essential items should be ensured at these small bazaars. He said that the process of holding small sastay bazaars should be started from Lahore. He said that further relief would be provided to the common man by setting up small sastay bazaars.

The Chief Minister while directing purchase of tents for sastay bazaars said that elected representatives, administration and police of the districts showing outstanding performance in the provision of eatable items at cheaper rates to the people would be encouraged and will be given commendatory certificates. The Chief Minister directed that setting up of price control response committees at towns’ level should be considered for keeping a watchful eye at prices on permanent basis. He said that Punjab government wants welfare of the common man and planning for setting up dasterkhawans throughout the province should be made in this regard. He said that the cleanliness system of markets should be further improved and proper planning with regard to supply and demand of pulses should be made.

Shahbaz Sharif said that it should be considered to make the law more effective against big fish involved in overcharging and making the law for non-bailable arrest warrant regarding overcharging should also be considered. He said that consumer associations can play vital role for strengthening the prices of essential items, therefore, representatives of these associations should be mobilized so that they could play their due role with regard to stabilizing the prices of edible items.

The Chief Minister said that provision of 20kg flour bag at ex-mill rate should be ensured in sastay bazaars. He warned that increase of a single penny in price of atta throughout the province will not be tolerated. He asked members of cabinet committee, administration and police officials to personally check the prices of flour in bazaars and markets. He said that in case of complaint regarding increase in the price of atta from anywhere, strict action should be taken.

Shahbaz Sharif while issuing orders to continue action against the owners of petrol pumps involved in overcharging throughout Punjab including Lahore said that the pump owners selling petrol on higher prices to the citizens deserve no leniency. He directed the administration and police to take indiscriminate action against the petrol pumps involved in overcharging. The Chief Secretary gave a briefing regarding visits of cabinet committee to districts and Secretary Industry regarding prices of essential items during the meeting.