LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar has directed to run an effective campaign against artificial price-hike and hoarding by activating price control committees at the district level. In a circular to provincial minister and head of price control taskforce Aslam Iqbal and chief secretary, the CM directed that the price control committees be activated and provision of essential items be ensured at fixed rates.
He ordered the district price control committees to keep strict vigilance of the essential items' rates and further directed that a vigilant eye be kept on hoarders. Similarly, the price control task force should devise effective steps to solve the artificial price-hike issue.
The CM reiterated that people cannot be left at the mercy of hoarders and added that any negligence will not be tolerated by him. I will personally monitor action against artificial price-hike, hoarding and illegal profiteering as these are an enemy of the society as well as the law, he said. I will personally check the rates of essential items through surprise monitoring and no one will be forgiven if negligence is proved, he warned.
The CM in his message on the eve of 'Youm e Istehsal' said that one year has passed to illegal lockdown in the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) but the miseries of the enslaved Kashmiris have not been lessened.
He said the silence of the international community against intolerable brutalities committed against the Kashmiris is deplorable and India will have to pay back every crime committed against Kashmiris and their freedom struggle will soon materialize, the CM added.
Moreover, the cabinet committee for corona control, which held its meeting on the direction of the chief minister, has linked the decision of opening the gym, indoor sports, beauty salons and clinics etc., with the permission of NCOC. The final decision about opening Murree and other tourist-spots will be made by NCOC.
The allied linked with the construction industry will be opened in Punjab while a special meeting of the cabinet committee for corona control will be called for opening educational institutions.
The meeting was briefed that the number of corona positive cases is 2 to 3 per cent in Punjab. Three thousand beds will be reserved for corona patients and hospitals will be opened for routine medical services after declaring them corona free. During the last 24 hours, five patients have died while 39 corona cases have been reported.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020