District administration to take action against profiteers: Bilal Yaseen

Lahore: Punjab government is implementing a comprehensive policy to stabilize the prices of essential commodities under which district administration has been directed to take action against profiteers and hoarders. NGOs and media should help the government to stabilize the prices at reasonable level.

Provincial Minister for Food and Chairman Cabinet Price Control Committee Punjab Bilal Yasin stated this while presiding over the committee meeting, here today. Additional Chief Secretary, secretaries of Agriculture, Industries, Livestock and Health as well as Director General Food Authrotiy attended the meeting.

Secretary Agriculture informed the meeting that the prices of tomato increased in market due to shortage of import of tomato from India and after April 15, the prices of tomatoes will be reduced after coming new crop of tomato. He said that the prices of tomato could be reduced through improvement in the supply of tomato from India. He said that prices of potato have increased due to less production of potato this year. He suggested that potato from India could be imported by waving 25 percent duty which will bring the prices of potato reduced.

Secretary Food informed that there is 6 lakh 49 thousand tons stock of wheat and target of 3.5 million tons wheat procurement has been fixed this year which can be increased by 15 percent. He said that farmers will be provided facilities for wheat procurement. He said that gunny bags will be supplied to the farmers without any interruption. And toll free numbers will be given for immediate solution of farmers’ problems. He said that policy has been evolved to ensure sale of Urea at Rs.1786 and action would be taken against profiteers and recommendation has been put forward to ive subsidy on DAP Urea price.

Bilal Yasin directed the district administration to take action against the profiteers and shown no leniency in this regard. He said that stern action would be taken against the violators for provision of  quality and cheap edibles items to the people. He also directed to improve the security arrangements in Sahulat bazaars and Sunday bazaars.