Government is determined to bring down the price of potatoes: Bilal Yaseen

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Food and Chairman Cabinet Price Control Committee Punjab, Bilal Yaseen has said that the government is determined to bring down the price of potatoes to Rs.30 per kg and the elements involved in hoarding will not be spared. He expressed these views during a surprise visit to Sabzai Mandi, Multan Road, today. The consumers present on the occasion expressed satisfaction over the availability of vegetables in the market at a reasonable rate but complained against sanitary conditions in the market.

The Minister was informed about the involvement of non-agriculturists in Sabzi Mandi. The Minister assured that the market will be made exemplary besides the role of non-agriculturists will be eliminated.

The Minister while replying to the questions of media-men said that on the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister, directions have been issued to district administration to bring down prices of essential items to a reasonable level while hoarders should be dealt with sternly. He said that if the price of potatoes was not reduced to Rs.30 per kg within next few days, potatoes will be imported and 25% import duty will be abolished.

He informed that government is also taking steps for stopping the export of potatoes. He warned that middlemen or farmers involved in creating artificial shortage of potatoes will be dealt with an iron hand.

Bilal Yaseen assured that Multan Road Sabzi Mandi will be made a model market so that besides availability of necessary items to the consumers at reasonable rates, a clean environment could also be provided to the people living in the surrounding areas.