Maryam welcomes drop in food prices

LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has expressed satisfaction over the trend of reduction in food prices.

She noted, “Tomatoes, onions, coriander, mint, lemons, garlic, ginger, chilli, potatoes and other vegetables have become cheaper across the province. Compared to last year, the price of lemons has decreased by Rs85, green chillies by Rs10, ginger by Rs60, and mint and coriander prices have also decreased.

“Moreover, the price of potatoes has decreased by Rs15, onions by Rs75, tomatoes by Rs5, local garlic by Rs75, Chinese garlic by Rs55 and ginger by Rs25.” She said due to improvement in vegetable supply management, more vegetables have arrived for Eid.

The CM was briefed that 30 additional truckloads of potatoes, onions, 13 truckloads of tomatoes, two truckloads of ginger, six truckloads of garlic, seven truckloads of green chillies and three truckloads of lemons had arrived in Lahore.

She was also informed that prices of pulses including gram, mash, lentils, black gram, gram flour and others have also reduced by up to Rs30. Maryam also directed the authorities to take steps to maintain low prices of nine essential vegetables. She directed the Price Control Department, commissioners, deputy commissioner and other administrative officers to monitor prices.

Separately, CM Maryam Nawaz directed the authorities to take necessary measures to ensure foolproof security on Eidul Azha, besides increasing security in cattle markets. She also directed the administration and police officers to remain present in the field and submit periodic reports after continuous monitoring of the situation at provincial, divisional, district and tehsil levels. The CM ordered for refunding excess fares and taking action against delinquents. She also directed officials of the Livestock Department to ensure presence in the cattle markets.

She also ordered for continuous monitoring of traffic in Lahore and other cities, besides ensuring effective traffic management near cattle markets in Lahore, Multan and other major cities. She also directed the authorities to ensure implementation of fixed transport fares in every city, and to paste fares and fitness certificates on the windscreens of buses.