The Punjab government has decided to establish 'Food Authority', in collabouration with the chambers of commerce and industry in the province to cope with adulteration that has reached the alarming levels in various food items.
The chairman of chief minister task force on essential items and Administrator, Punjab Food Stamps scheme S A Hameed said this while speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Saturday. He said that 'Food Authority', which would have equal number of members from both the private and the public sectors, would ensure supply of quality goods to the masses.
He said that stern action would be taken against adulterators, hoarders and black marketers during Ramazan, and that necessary instructions in this regard had been issued. Hameed said that exemplary punishment had been proposed for those found guilty of adulteration. These punishments would range from a fine of Rs 200,000 to Rs 2.5 million, with a mandatory imprisonment.
He said that in this regard new rules and regulations have already been notified. He said the government has also decided to wind up market committees and a special magistrate would be appointed to control price hike. He said that Sunday Bazaars have lost their charm, as they are not catering to the needs of the general public.
The chairman said the government is going to launch a number of new initiatives to alleviate poverty and to develop the skills of those who can not afford formal education. He said that in this regard, the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry's help would be sought. The present provincial government of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif is focusing on the core issues being faced by the masses and soon the people would get relief.
LCCI President Mohammad Ali stressed the need for improvement in supply side and said that the macro focus of the Punjab government on the development of a self-reliant economy, easy availability of essential items at reasonable rates, provision of flour on cheaper rates, the arrangement of 21 Ramazan Bazaars and 1054 fair price shops in the provincial metropolis and the assurance of complete facilitation to the masses during Ramazan was highly commendable.
He also appreciated the untiring efforts of the Chief Minister to form a special committee to monitor the price and supply situation of essential commodities and ensure effective measures to curb smuggling. He, however, stressed the need for ensuring implementation of laws in the larger interests of the masses.
He said that along with facilitating the consumers and common people of the country, the problems and issues of business community are also need to be sorted out especially when cost of gas, oil and electricity has doubled. The business community is ready, as it has been in the past, to play its due role and join hands with the government in the task of economic revival.
With a view to play its role, the business community needs peace of mind and stable policies. The government can ensure this by extending it with maximum possible facilitation at the difficult time of rising cost of electricity, oil and gas, for promoting the environment of mutual trust with the business community. These, if provided, will ensure the realisation of dream of a prosperous and progressive Pakistan.
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