Ministerial body orders slashing chicken meat prices

LAHORE: The Ministerial Committee has reviewed price-hike, distribution of Ramazan relief package, availability of essential items, prices and monitoring process, and has shown serious concern over increase in the prices of chicken during the last three days.

The meeting was held at Civil Secretariat under the chairmanship of Minister for Industry and Commerce Chaudhry Shafay Hussain. Ministers Bilal Yasin, Ashiq Hussain, Azma Bukhari and secretaries of departments concerned participated in the meeting. Divisional commissioners attended the meeting through a video link.

In the meeting, implementation of Ramazan relief package, availability of essential items, prices and monitoring process were reviewed. The committee expressed concern over the increase in the prices of chicken during the last three days. The committee directed immediate steps to reduce the prices of chicken meat and said the supply of poultry in the market should be closely monitored in the last Ashra of Ramazan.

Shafay Hussain said that on the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, largest Ramazan package in the history of Punjab is being successfully delivered on the doorsteps of people. More than 49 lakh families have been granted ration. People are getting quality essentials at subsidised rate in the holy month. Due to the improvement in the supply situation, the prices have come down significantly.

Chaudhry Shafay Hussain said that the officers of the Food Authority need to be more active in the districts. Model and Ramazan markets are proving a major means of providing relief to the people.

Ashiq Hussain Kirmani said that commissioners and deputy commissioners should be given the task for reducing the prices of chicken. Information Minister Azma Bukhari said that it is important to ensure the supply of chicken at a reasonable rate to the people of Punjab.

The performance of the price control magistrates was also reviewed in the meeting. It was told that till 13 Ramazan, 9.50 lakh inspections were conducted and 63 lakh 947 violations were revealed while 2,105 cases were registered, 6,136 people were arrested and fines of more than 7 crore 4 lakh rupees were imposed.