Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has directed departments concerned as well as provincial and district administration to take effective measures for transferring the benefits of record decrease in the prices of petroleum products to the masses and ensuring reduction in transport fares. He further directed that banners of the new fares be displayed prominently at bus stands and other important places. He ordered that stern action be taken against those violating the new fare rates of transport.
He was addressing a meeting of Price Control Committee through video-link at the Civil Secretariat on Wednesday which reviewed in detail the measures adopted for reduction in the prices of essential items and transport fares.
The chief minister said that regular checking of bus stands should be carried out and administration and institutions concerned should play an active role for providing relief to the masses in transport fares. He said that action will be taken over negligence while efficient officers will be rewarded.
He also directed authorities concerned to hold negotiations with associations concerned for reducing the prices of flour, poultry and Ghee as it is responsibility of the institutions concerned to transfer the benefit of decrease in fuel prices to the citizens.
Provincial ministers Bilal Yasin, Dr. Farukh Javed, Ch Muhammad Shafiq, chief secretary and secretaries concerned attended the meeting.
CM REVIEWS PACE OF SAAF PANI PROJECT:
Meanwhile, the chief minister presided over a high level meeting which reviewed the pace of the Saaf Pani Project.
Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that the project is of vital importance as it is directly linked with public health. He said that billions of rupees are being spent by the government on the programme of provision of potable water to the citizens. He said in the first phase, water filtration plants will be set up in Bahawalpur, Okara, Kasur and Lahore while in the second phase this project will be extended to other cities of the province. He said that a total of 1500 water filtration plants will be set up in Punjab.
The chief minister directed that planning should be made for installation of solar panels for operating water filtration plants and the installation work of water filtration plants be completed within stipulated period. He said that transparency and standard will be ensured in the execution of the project like other programmes of the government.
He further directed that a practicable programme be evolved for capacity-building of the departments concerned with regard to the project and a comprehensive mechanism should be devised for the management and monitoring of the project.
Saaf Pani Company chief executive officer gave a detailed briefing on the project.
