LAHORE:As many as 85 people were arrested on the spot for selling expensive roti and naan and the points causing artificial inflation were sealed on Thursday. Moreover, 146 cases were also registered and the hefty fine of Rs1,228,000 was imposed while six shops were sealed.
Punjab Food Minister Bilal Yasin also visited different areas of provincial capital to ensure the availability of roti and naan at the notified rates. Speaking on the occasion, the food minister said that the sale of expensive roti and naan is not acceptable in any area and roti will be available at Rs16 and naan at Rs20. He said that the relevant departments had completed their homework before issuing notification for reduction in prices. This step is taken to benefit the masses and the government is committed to provide relief in roti prices, he added.
Bilal said that it is his government’s mission that the benefit of reduction in the price of flour should reach the people instead of the middlemen. He said that affordable roti and naan are available in 80 percent of the areas and the operation will continue until 100 percent implementation of notified price. For the first time in history, a lump sum reduction of Rs500 has been made on 20kg flour bag.
Food minister said that the price list is being clearly displayed in the markets so that the people are aware and inform the administration about any violation anywhere. He said that they are not oppressing anyone but the government’s mission is to give relief to the common man. He said that supply of roti at the notified price is our responsibility and government will ensure its compliance, he added.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Lahore Muhammad Ali Randhawa presided over an important meeting to review the implementation of roti and naan prices and the ongoing measures regarding ‘Suthra Punjab’ campaign.
Commissioner Lahore issued directions that FIRs should be registered and the accused should be arrested for violating the proposed prices of roti and naan. Addressing the meeting, Randhawa said that beautiful green belts should be made there to discourage those who throw garbage on the side of the roads. He further said that containers have been placed by LWMC around all drains managed by Wasa in the city. Placing containers around the drains will reduce littering in the drains and in this regard the citizens should also be made aware of their responsibility.
The commissioner was told in the briefing that Wasa, LWMC and Cantonment are conducting a joint operation to clean the Shanghai drain. He said that the joint strategy in terms of cleanliness in LWMC, Railway, Cantonment and Walton areas is proving to be the best. Railways has started construction of dumping site with LWMC near the railway track.