New price control mechanism evolved

LAHORE:A new price control mechanism has been evolved to effectively monitor prices as well as demand and supply of essential commodities in the province.

The recommendations - constitution of a committee to forecast availability of edibles, establishment of model bazaars at tehsil level, creation of database of all stocks, installation of cameras in every fruit and vegetable market and digitization of record of vehicles’ entry - were presented at a meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary Punjab on Wednesday.

Speaking at the meeting, the Chief Secretary said that administrative officers would have to work diligently and more actively to provide relief to people in real sense. He mentioned that profiteers, hoarders, and adulterators would be dealt with iron hands. He issued directions to deputy commissioners to conduct surprise visits of fruit and vegetable markets and depute an officer not less than grade 17 as their representative to completely monitor auction process in these markets.

He asked the officers to ensure display of rate lists at all shops and start an awareness campaign to sensitise people about complaint system in case of profiteering or any other violation.

Secretary Industries Department briefed the meeting that a crackdown on profiteers, hoarders and adulterators has been expedited in the province and as many as 3670 persons had been arrested while cases had been registered against 3957, besides imposition of a fine of eight million rupees during the month of November.

About 222 cases had also been registered against hoarders during the same period, he added. He maintained that 74 farmers markets had been set up across the province where farmers can directly sell their produce without intervention of middlemen. The meeting was briefed that 2205 out of 2359 complaints received through Qeemat Punjab App were resolved immediately.