LAHORE: The Punjab government has intensified the crackdown on profiteers to ensure the availability of essential commodities at fixed prices, arresting 194 persons, and registering 188 cases in the province during the last one week. The price control magistrates also imposed fines of Rs 7.5 million on the violators.

This was disclosed in a briefing during a meeting held under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary Punjab to review the price control measures. The meeting reviewed the prices and availability of essential commodities, especially flour and sugar, in the province.

The Chief Secretary said that concrete steps are being taken to overcome the price-hike as per the directions of the Prime Minister and Chief Minister Punjab. He said that the Punjab government is giving a subsidy of billions of rupees on flour to provide relief to the common man. The Chief Secretary directed the deputy commissioners to ensure the sale of imported sugar in the districts at the notified rates.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020