LAHORE
Provincial Minister for Food Bilal Yasin has directed all the district administrations to launch a crackdown on Tandoor mafia for overcharging on under-weight Naan and Roti.
He said that complaints had been received from various districts of Punjab that Roti and Naan were being sold on higher rates whereas actual price of Naan was Rs10 and weight 120gram. Similarly, the price of Roti is Rs6 and weight is 100gram. Tandoor owners involved in overcharging on less weight Roti and Naan will be dealt with iron hands. He expressed dissatisfaction over the prices of pulses particularly Daal Chana in local market and directed the agriculture department to provide better awareness and facilities to farmers for better production of Daal Chana.
Bilal Yasin said the Punjab government would ensure availability of edible items on standard rates and would take every possible measures to control inflation. The minister directed all district administrations to make effective the role of price control magistrates and monitor their performance. He directed all DCOs to visit Sunday bazaars at their respective districts regularly and ensure availability, prices and quality of commodities.
Addressing the meeting, the minister said that after imposing a ban on import of tomato from India, local farmers had given more priority to cultivation of tomato which resulted the surplus availability of tomato on reasonable prices in market. He directed DCOs of Sahiwal and Faisalabad to discuss the rate of Daal Chana with local farmers and develop a strategy to control the prices.
He said the government would appreciate and support farmers to cultivate pulses at large scale.
In the meeting, the minister was briefed on the prices of wheat and poultry in the market. Bilal Yasin showed serious concern over the sudden increase in demand and prices of eggs.
Secretary Livestock and Industry briefed the minister on the prices and demands and supply of edible items.