The district price control committees are being revived while special consumer protection committees will be set up across the province to maintain the prices of essential food items apart from ensuring their supply to the consumers at affordable rates.
Punjab Price Control Committee Chairman Khawaja Tahir Zia stated this while talking to people during his visit to markets in the city and in an interview to Radio Pakistan on Thursday.
He said that sufficient stocks of items of daily-use are available in markets and in addition to controlling prices, the price control committees would also ensure quality and regular supply of essential food items, adding that strict action has been initiated against those involved in profiteering and hoarding.
Khawaja Tahir Zia also said the Punjab Price Control Committee is in close contact with the associations of traders, and is seeking co-operation of other stakeholders to maintain prices of items of daily-use especially edibles.
He said that members of the committees are paying regular surprise visits to Sunday Bazaars, Susta Bazaars and other markets to monitor and supervise the campaign initiated against the profiteers and hoarders. In addition to keeping an eye on the markets, he said the Price Control Committee is also monitoring the implementation of subsidy of Rs 2 billion provided by Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi for supply of essential food items, including pulses, sugar and flour to the masses.