The Punjab Food Minister's policy statement on controlling prices of food items was full of flattery remarks for the Khadim-e-Ala and nothing said on the issue, which gave an impression that the Punjab government is clueless on the vital issue that is affecting over 80 million people of the province.
After the conclusion of the general discussion on price hike of essential items in the Punjab Assembly on Monday, Punjab Food Minister Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor in his concluding remarks had nothing to say about the government's action to control escalating prices of food items.
A ministers concluding remarks after a general discussion in the House is assumed as government policy statement, which suppose to outline the steps it will take. However, the Minister did not reflect on the subject and rather spent the precious time of the House on praising his leader. On one occasion he praised himself for unloading bags of sugar at Karachi port and expected laurels from the House. However, a question arises how his 'efforts' would help in controlling the rocketing prices of food items; the House should constitute a committee to solve this enigma.
The Minister did say that the Punjab government is taking visionary and bold steps, but again he fell short of saying what steps have been taken. The committee should also look into this statement as well. The hallmark of his speech was advocating for change for which 'bold steps has to be taken and the people have to give sacrifice'. It seems that in his eyes a majority going without two meals a day does not fall under 'sacrifice'.
On sugar crisis, he shifted the blame on the Federal government and termed it a conspiracy against his government. He claimed that with the assistance of hoarders, well thought-out plan was hatched to destabilise the government. He also claimed that there was no shortage of sugar in the province. He vowed to control price hike, but how, he did not mention.
The Minister made an observation that the country is facing both financial and intellectual corruption. Financial corruption might be debatable, but he is spot-on on intellectual corruption; his selection as a provincial minister questions the Khadim-e-Ala's intellectual maturity.
Chaudhry Ghafoor's flattery remarks did not entertain the question and concerns shown by the members of both treasury and opposition benches on the subject. Opposition Leader Chaudhry Zaheeruddin observed that the people of Punjab are pushed against the wall and finding it impossible to live with dignity.
He said poverty is on the rise due to inflation and hence more and more people trapped in poverty are committing suicide. "Poverty has also increased street crime, making the streets of Punjab unsafe," he added. He lambasted the government for failing to confront sugar cartel, which has created an artificial sugar shortage and in the process making hefty profits.
He also said the prices of food items have doubled in the last three years. He observed that Zakat distribution, price control boards and a policy on checking price hike is not visible in the province. Other parliamentarians also voiced their concern over rising prices of food items and urged the government to take appropriate steps.
Some MPAs were of the view that price hike of food items were due to export of meat, fruit and vegetables, which should be stopped. "If the government did not take prompt action then the province will fall in chaos," they warned. The House also concluded the general discussion on law and order, which was concluded by Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah.
In his concluding remarks he said the observations of fellow members were correct and steps were being taken to maintain law and order situation in the country. He said resources were made available to improve the performance of law enforcing agencies, the size of elite force was being increase and high quality training is given to the police force. "The government's initiatives have improved the working of police force. In 2010, over 75,000 culprits were arrested and 233 proclaimed offenders have been identified, of which 37 have been arrested," he added.
Earlier, MPAs showed concerns over the surge in crime rate in the province, which has made the live and property of common man unsafe. They urged the government to take effective steps to arrest the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab. It is to be mentioned here that during the general discussions only 14 parliamentarians were present in the House, including Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal, the two concerned ministers and Opposition Leader Chaudhry Zaheeruddin.
The parliamentarians showed least interest in two vital issues (law and order, and price hike) that is directly affecting the masses. Earlier the House took up question-answer session on excise and taxation department, call attention notice privilege motions and adjournment motions. The Speaker adjourned the House till Tuesday morning.
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