Body to review prices of essential items

LAHORE:The Punjab government Wednesday constituted a committee of traders, retailers, Karyana merchants and government officials to review prices of grocery and other essential items.

The committee will review the prices and fix new prices. The traders, retailers and Karyana merchants alleged that the government fixed irrational prices of grocery and other essential items while price magistrates are raiding their shops and harassing them.

The decision of constituting the committee was made in a meeting chaired by the Minister for Industries and Trade Mian Aslam Iqbal. Representatives of various trader associations attended the meeting. The meeting reviewed the prices of pulses and other essential items.

Secretary Industries, Commissioner Lahore Division, DG Industries and other officers concerned attended the meeting.

President Karyana Chemical Association Azhar Iqbal, President Sugar Dealer Association Akbari Mandi Amjad Hussain, President Pakistan Karyana Association Lahore Haris Arif, President Food Grain Karyana Association Haji Muhammad Aslam and other were present in the meeting.

Addressing the meeting, the minister said it was not the agenda of the government to tease anyone. He said the government will provide relief to common man with the help of traders. Conducive atmosphere will be provided to traders and their genuine problems will be resolved on priority. He said the government will safeguard the rights of consumers at any cost. He said no one will be allowed to loot the money of the poor.

The minister instructed that no magistrate will visit any shop without the card issued by the DC office. Action will be initiated against the magistrates who visit the shop without the card. He said with the collaboration of Punjab Information Technology e-challan system is also being introduced soon. He said it is the responsibility of the government to resolve traders’ problems and government will fulfill it.