No one will exploit the masses in my presence : Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that the effective measures taken by the government and strict monitoring of Ramazan Package aimed at provision of relief to the masses during the holy month of Ramazan has yielded positive results and people are fully benefitting from Ramazan Package of Punjab government. He said that a comprehensive planning has been made for ensuring availability of quality essential items to the citizens in Ramazan bazaars and open markets at the fixed rates due to which the prices of daily use items, fruits and vegetables have stabilized in Ramazan bazaars and people are getting relief in the real sense.

He was presiding over a meeting of Provincial Price Control Committee through video link for reviewing Ramazan Package, supply of daily use items in Ramazan bazaars as well as their quality and rates. Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that he gives top priority to the interest of the masses and in view of this fact, Punjab government is taking stern action against hoarders and profiteers. He vowed that no one will be allowed to exploit the masses in the presence of Shahbaz Sharif. He said that all shopkeepers can earn their due profit but illegal profiteering will not be tolerated and general public will not be left at the mercy of exploiters and profiteers.

The Chief Minister directed Price Control Committee to take action against hoarders and profiteers without any discrimination. He said that besides Ramazan bazaars availability of quality essential items at the fixed rates should also be ensured in the open market otherwise stern action will be taken against the persons responsible. He said that in addition to Ramazan bazaars, quality of fruits and vegetables in open market should also be improved. Shahbaz Sharif directed that supply of tomato, potato and other items in open markets and Ramazan bazaars should be further improved so that their prices could be stabilized. He said that increase in the prices of daily use items in open market will not be tolerated.

The Chief Minister directed that administration and concerned departments should ensure sale of essential commodities in open market at the fixed rates. He directed that DCOs and DPOs should personally supervise auction process in vegetable markets in their respective districts. Shahbaz Sharif in a briefing given to him through video conference regarding the measures taken by the government for ensuring smooth supply, quality and prices of daily use commodities, was informed that the rates of these items have stabilized. It was told that Ramazan bazaars are being regularly monitored and resulting in provision of relief to the citizens.

Provincial Minister for Food Bilal Yasin, Additional Chief Secretary, Member Provincial Assembly Wahid Gull and concerned secretaries and senior officials were present in the meeting.