The government has finalised the law in consultation with the provinces to revive the executive magistracy system in the country to empower district governments to take necessary measures to control unjust price hike in the country, it was learnt.
Sources said that a summary to this effect vetted by the Ministry of Law and Justice would be submitted to the Cabinet meeting for approval for subsequent revival of executive magistracy system in the country through a presidential Ordinance.
An official of the Finance Ministry, who has been co-ordinating with Inter-provincial Co-ordination Committee (IPCC), Ministry of Interior, Food Security and provinces on the issue, said that the revival of the magistracy system would help control price hike in the country. He said that the law approved with more than 66 amendments in the previous law would ensure conformity with the Constitution and provide establishment of consumers'' courts in all parts of the country for speedy proceedings against the people involved in hoarding and profiteering.
The official said that the price control committees at district level would be established and strengthened after taking representatives from government, consumers and producers for effective monitoring of the prices. These committees would also suggest required measures to district governments for controlling the price hike. The law also envisages vigilant consumer association at village and Mohallah levels to support committees at district level whose outreach would be expanded to the Tehsil levels.
The official who requested anonymity said that the law would be approved by the Cabinet in the next meeting and is expected to be enforced through a presidential ordinance before the budget for next fiscal year. He said that the sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee headed by Senator Ishaq Dar had approved the report prepared by the Finance Ministry without any change with directives for a roadmap for food security focusing on modes of availability, accessibility, affordability and distribution and for effective control on prices of essential items used by the common man in the country.
Policy measures: After the devolution, the Ministry of National Food Security has been established with the following functions: economic co-ordination and planning in respect of food, economic planning and policy-making in respect of agriculture. Imports and exports control on food grains and foodstuffs, inspection, grading analysis of food grains and foodstuffs, maintenance of standards of quality for import and export and inspection, handling, storage and shipment of rice exports, collection of statistics regarding production, consumption prices, import and exports of food grains and co-ordination with aid and assistance agencies in respect of food sector, procurement of food grains, including sugar from abroad for federal requirement, for inter-provincial supplies and for export and storage at ports.
With regard to food security it is proposed that a committee should be constituted with provincial representation for analysis and making tangible recommendation for food security focusing on the modes of availability, accessibility, affordability and distribution under National Food Security and Research Division. The committee will prepare short, medium and long-term plans and arrangements to finance the programmes.
Exports and imports of commodities/major and minor crops will be made considering the domestic need and assessment of demand and supply position of each commodity. Market integration and information system will be strengthened, so that shortage and surplus of commodities may not occur in any region of the country. The role of middlemen should be closely monitored to minimum exploitation of farmers and to eliminate the hoarding practices.
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