LAHORE: With a view to ensure availability of essential commodities at the fixed prices, the Punjab government has launched crackdown against the profiteers and 852 such persons have been arrested while 898 cases have been registered against them whereas a fine of Rs 57.5 million has also been imposed on them.
This was revealed at the meeting presided over by Punjab Minister for Trade and Industries Mian Aslam Iqbal here on Thursday. Chief Secretary Punjab Jawwad Rafique Malik also attended the meeting. The meeting reviewed the prices and the availability of essential commodities, especially flour and sugar, smart lockdown situation, and arrangements in cattle markets in the province.
The administrative secretaries of food, agriculture, and industries departments, Commissioner Lahore Division, and CCPO Lahore attended the meeting whereas all the divisional commissioners, RPOs, deputy commissioners, and DPOs participated through video link.
Addressing the meeting, Mian Aslam Iqbal said that providing relief to the common man was the priority of the government and no compromise could be made on this important matter. He said that the prices of commodities are fixed by the administration itself and their implementation has to be ensured by the administrative officers.
The Chief Secretary directed that on the eve of the coming festival of Eid, prices as well as the quality, demand, and supply of tomatoes, onions, ginger, lemons, and other kitchen items be closely monitored. He said that clear instructions have been issued by the federal government to overcome the issue of artificial price-hike, adding that no laxity would be tolerated in this regard. He mentioned that the 'indiscriminate action' against profiteers and hoarders would continue throughout the province.
The Chief Secretary asked the deputy commissioners to monitor the process of supply of subsidized government wheat to the flour mills, its grinding, and supply in the market to ensure the availability of flour at fixed prices. He also issued directions regarding taking traders' organizations into confidence for implementation of the smart lockdown and paying special attention to the arrangements in the cattle markets.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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