Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high level meeting here on Saturday and directed to launch a vigorous campaign against adulteration in the province. The CM ordered to launch indiscriminate crackdown against those involved in preparing and selling adulterated items throughout the province and added that the scope of taskforces will be expanded to nine divisional headquarters for making campaign effective.
The Chief Minister gave approval in principle to expand the scope of Punjab Food Authority to seven districts and Murree. The meeting also decided to enhance fine against mafia involved in adulteration and necessary amendments will be made in the existing laws in this regard.
Special courts will also be set up for hearing of cases in this regard. While addressing the meeting, Shahbaz said that the heinous business of preparing and selling poison in the name of food will be stopped as provision of poisonous items in the name of food cannot be permitted at any cost. He said that the business of preparing and selling harmful items for human health will be curbed.
The CM directed that the role of Punjab Food Authority should be made more effective in Lahore and it should be made an institution fully equipped with information technology. He said that Punjab Information Technology Board should evolve a system jointly with Punjab Food Authority in this regard. He said that the scope of Punjab Food Authority will be expanded throughout Punjab under a phased programme. He said that the task forces constituted in nine divisions will be fully empowered and authorized to take action against those involved in preparing and selling adulterated items in their respective districts. The CM directed that the training should be arranged for the heads and other staff of task forces. He said that the training for concerned staff of Punjab Food Authority should also be arranged abroad.
Shahbaz directed that Cabinet committee should minutely consider the future requirements and steps to be taken out for expanding scope of Punjab Food Authority to seven districts and Murree and submit a final report. He said that an effective awareness campaign should be launched for categorisation of restaurants and food chains. He said that a vigorous crackdown should also be launched against the owners of units manufacturing substandard and harmful items.
The CM also gave approval to start a pilot project for introducing modern model carts prepared for cart pushers in Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi. He said that Punjab government will provide model carts to cart pushers for specific places where they will start their business. Shahbaz said that not only food items will be available to the people according to hygienic standard through model carts at specific places but flow of traffic will also improve.
The Chief Minister directed heads of task forces to accelerate the campaign against adulteration in an effective manner. Provincial Ministers Rana Sanaullah, Bilal Yasin, Members Provincial Assembly Majid Zahoor, Iftikhar Ahmad, Abdul Razzaq Dhillon, Muhammad Ali Khokhar, concerned secretaries, Commissioner Lahore division and senior officials attended the meeting.