CM calls for measures to curb ‘artificial inflation’ in KP

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Tuesday called for measures to curb what he termed artificial inflation in the province and asked ministers to work for providing relief to the public.

Information Minister Shaukat Ali Yousafzai, while addressing a press conference, said the chief minister chaired a cabinet meeting at the Civil Secretariat which took several decisions. Mahmood Khan briefed the provincial cabinet members, especially the newly inducted ones, about the government's vision. Shaukat Yousafzai said the cabinet was given a detailed briefing on the price control system designed to control the prices of food items and other commodities in the province. In the system, factual information and statistics about daily commodity prices are obtained in all the districts daily from unofficial and independent sources.

The system of controlling prices is linked to the Performance Management and Reforms Unit (PMRU). The chief minister and chief secretary can check the prices of essential commodities in each district on their dashboards. The minister said the cabinet was also given a detailed briefing on the wheat and flour situation in the province.

The participants of the meeting were informed that the provincial government had purchased a large quantity of wheat from Pasco. Out of which, 250 000 ton wheat had been received by the province, while another 200,000 ton will be acquired soon. The wheat stock in the province is sufficient until April 30. The chief minister directed all the ministers to ensure attendance at offices, adding he would monitor the attendance.

Mahmood Khan made it clear that as a chief minister he would not allow anyone to resort to any wrong practice or call anyone wrong, adding more transparency would be ensured in merit, justice and government affairs. He said he had been nominated by Prime Minister Imran Khan for the slot and the failure of the KP government would be considered the failure of the prime minister. The chief minister said every minister should take along the provincial assembly members of his district as we have to serve the people of the province.

He said all ministers should ensure homework for reforms in the departments. Mahmood Khan added that the efforts should be made for the immediate functioning of the economic zones in the province and the obstacles should be removed. He said the government is focusing on the development of minerals and energy as that will bring employment opportunities to the people. The chief minister said daily meeting with the members of the provincial assembly would be ensured from 4 to 6 pm and their problems will be heard. He said a meeting would be held with the administrative secretaries, commissioners and deputy commissioners, adding there was no place for non-functioning officers.

Shaukat Yousafzai said the cabinet reviewed the annual development program and the last five years projects were reviewed under the Provincial Development Program. Out of 440 billion, he said, Rs 420 billion were spent and all the departments were directed to start preparing for own development programs for the next financial year. He said the cabinet had approved Rs 60 million as grant in aid for KPBOIT operational expenses. The cabinet approved amendments to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife and Biodiversity Rules 2016. The amendment will include provincial ministers as members in the Wildlife and Biodiversity Board.

The cabinet okayed the amendment to Schedule II of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rules of Business 1985. The amendments are related to the new responsibilities of the Department of Information and Public Relations.