CM orders tripping district price control committees

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Thursday ordered to make operational the district price control committees after their reconstitution.

“Representatives of civil society, as well as the general public, will be included in these committees,” the chief minister said while presiding over a high-level meeting at his office, in which controlling the prices of essential items was discussed.

He said that effective measures should be adopted to stabilise the prices of essential items and directed to initiate a vigorous crackdown against elements creating an artificial price-hike.

“A report should be submitted to the Chief Minister’s Office after taking action against hoarders and profiteers,” he said and vowed to take every necessary step to provide relief to the masses.

“Increase in the prices of items of everyday use will not be tolerated at any cost and the persons responsible for price-hike will be taken to task,” he said.

The chief minister directed the deputy commissioners to keep a close eye on prices in their respective districts and said that performance of every district will be monitored with regard to price-hike. “Best performers will be rewarded while those showing poor performance will be held accountable.”

“The line departments should also actively perform to control the prices. I belong to the people of the province and they will not be left at the mercy of profiteers,” the chief minister said.

He further directed the officials concerned to ensure prominently displayed rate lists at all stores across the province and said that an indiscriminate action should be initiated against elements engaged in looting the masses.

The provincial finance minister, additional chief secretary (Home), secretaries of Food, Industry, Livestock and Agriculture departments, spokesperson to the chief minister and Lahore division commissioner were present on the occasion.

Other divisional commissioners and RPOs attended the meeting via video link.