Govt-ghee makers meeting remains inconclusive

LAHORE:A meeting between the Punjab government and Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association (PVMA) remained inconclusive on lowering down the price of cooking oil and ghee in Ramazan.

The government was asking minimum Rs25 per kg/litre reduction in the prices of cooking oil and ghee of different brands while the PVMA was insisted for not more than Rs10 per kg/litre reduction in the Ramazan to provide the relief to the public.

The meeting was chaired by the provincial minister for industries and trade Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal while the Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association delegation led by Kh Arif Qasim, along with Tariq Ullah Sufi, Muhammad Waheed Chaudhary, Abid Ali Malik and others. The Secretary Industries and Trade Zafar Iqbal, Additional Secretary, DG Industries, officers concerned and senior members of PVMA attended the meeting.

The Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association (PVMA) official attended the meeting disclosed that the minister was insisted for Rs 25 per kg/liter reduction in the rates of cooking oil and ghee.

However, the industry officials made it clear that there was not such huge profit margin so this much reduction in the rates could not be possible.

The industry voluntarily offered a reduction of Rs 10 per kg/litre rates for Ramazan. However, this was not accepted by the government officials and deferred for the next meeting which is likely to be held during this week, the official said, adding that Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association (PVMA) and government were agreed to provide relief in the Ramazan along with in wake of covid-19 outbreak which affected the purchasing power of everyone.

Meanwhile, according to Provincial Minister for Industries and Trade Mian Aslam Iqbal the Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association (PVMA) is agreed to provide relief to the masses by reducing the prices of ghee and cooking oil during Ramazan.

The minister appreciated that traders and industrialists have always lent their helping hand to their fellow countrymen in every time of distress and difficulty. The whole nation is bravely confronting dangerous coronavirus pandemic, he added. He urged them to play their effective and proactive role once again in this arduous situation.

He exhorted them that it is high time to assist and help the corona affectees and poor people in view of prevailing coronavirus pandemic and ghee manufacturers should lower the prices of cooking oil in order to provide maximum relief to the masses during Ramazan.

The minister maintained that maximum benefits of lessening price of palm oil at international level must be accrued to the masses. It is also an opportunity to get the blessings and bounties of Allah Almighty by alleviating and eliminating sufferings of the masses facing affliction and agony.

He stated it is dire need of time that the affluent and wealthy people should lend all out help to the impoverished and weak segment of society.He lauded that the PTI government has given mega fiscal relief package in the history of our country to help and assist the coronavirus affectees as well as others facing financial constraints owing to poverty and unemployment. The delegation members assured Aslam Iqbal that they will provide relief to the masses by decreasing prices of ghee and cooking oil after holding mutual consultations.