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Punjab government decides to launch a crackdown against overcharging and profiteering

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that provision of relief to the people and sale of quality essential items at reasonable rates is the responsibility of concerned departments. He said that no negligence will be tolerated in this regard. He said that the problem of the people is his problem.

CM PUNJAB 19-4-14

He was addressing Provincial Price Control Committee meeting, here today. The meeting which lasted three hours reviewed the prices of essential commodities in the province in detail. Provincial Ministers, Members National and Provincial Assemblies, Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary, Chairman Planning & Development, Inspector General Police, Secretaries of concerned departments and senior officials attended the meeting.

The Chief Minister warned that the officials, who will not perform their duties efficiently, will have to quit the office and those working efficiently are his asset. He said that cabinet committee will have to play its role very effectively for providing daily essential items at affordable rates to the people.

The Chief Minister said that the fruits of devaluation of dollar against Pak rupee and its positive impact on essential items must reach the people. He said that provision of fruits of devaluation of dollar against Pak rupee to the common man was responsibility of the concerned ministries.

The Chief Minister inquired why fruits of devaluation of dollar were not provided to the people. Receiving no positive reply by concerned ministers and secretaries, Shahbaz Sharif expressing his indignation said that ministers, secretaries and concerned departments should play their active and effective role. He said that weekly index survey should be released in this regard and an authentic data should be collected and benefited for providing best services to the people. He said that services of professionals should be acquired for all this process so that confidence of the people could be restored and performance of government institutions improved.

The Chief Minister directed that process of auction in vegetable markets should be monitored through CCTV cameras. He said that the live coverage of process of auction in vegetable markets should be arranged through a local TV channel for the awareness of the people.

Shahbaz Sharif directed that cleanliness arrangements in vegetable markets should also be monitored through CCTV cameras whereas a system should be evolved for the publicity of essential items’ rates through a website. He said that absence of officers of concerned departments during the auction process in vegetable markets is not tolerable. He warned that strict action will be taken against the absentee officers and the officer who will not work, has no right to remain on his post.

The Chief Minister said that the officers unwilling to serve the people will have to change their attitude and either they will have to work or go home. He said that those working with honesty and efficiently are his companions. Shahbaz Sharif said that rate lists should be displayed in the shops at proper places for the awareness of the people to avoid overcharging.

He directed that a crackdown be launched against the persons involved in overcharging and profiteering. He said that strict action should be taken indiscriminately against the persons involved in profiteering. He said that the weight of 100 gram roti should be 100 gram and action should be taken against those selling less weight roti.

Expressing his deep indignation over ignorance by the concerned departments about number of persons arrested on overcharging, the Chief Minister sought a report within seven days in this regard. He said that tempered proof system should be enforced for checking overcharging at petrol pumps and CNG stations and a report should be submitted within 14 days in this regard.

He directed that strict action should be taken against the owners of petrol pumps and CNG stations involved in overcharging. He said that cabinet committee should keep a vigilant eye on the prices of essential items and take immediate steps for bringing the prices of potato at reasonable level as common man cannot purchase vegetable at higher rate. He said that the interest of common man is dearer to him.

Shahbaz Sharif said that keeping the prices of daily use items at reasonable level in view of the coming Ramzan-ul-Mubarik is essential, therefore, concerned departments should start preparation from now onwards. He warned that in case of increase in the prices of essential items or shortage of any commodity during Ramzan-ul-Mubarik, the minister and officers of concerned departments will be held accountable. He directed that a detailed briefing regarding Ramzan Package should be arranged during next meeting.

During the briefing about the prices of essential items, the meeting was told that except potato, prices of all edible items have remained stable and decreased.

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