MULTAN City News

Ghee, oil shortage perturbs people
From Our Correspondent
MULTAN: People have been facing several problems due to the artificial shortage of Ghee and cooking oil since the Punjab government reduced their prices by Rs 15 per kilogram and subsequently issued a notification in this regard.
The government has reduced the prices to pass on the benefits to the public of fall in palm oil price in the international market. After reduction in prices, some shopkeepers are selling Ghee to their reliable customers. The shopkeepers say that they could not sell Ghee and oil on reduced rates because they have purchased the same on higher prices. The government claims the manufacturers and sellers of Ghee and oil are earning Rs 4 billion profit per month. The people have demanded the district administration look into the matter and ensure smooth supply of Ghee and oil in the market.
When contacted, DCO Zahid Saleem Gondal said that Rs 15 per kilogram reduction in Ghee and cooking oil price was a revolutionary step of the government. He said that a number of raiding parties had been constituted and raids would be conducted on the warehouses and shops of wholesale dealers and retailers to ensure the sale of Ghee and oil on reduced rates. He said that the order was not arbitrary as rates of palm oil and extraordinary profit of the manufacturers and sellers were verified by the competent authority. He said that the palm oil price had further dropped to $605 per metric ton from $660 on Tuesday. The DCO said that the price of the two items would be reduced further if the current price of palm oil remained same or fell more.