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Minister Industries and Trade Asserts to Seal Stores and Shops for Constantly Violating Government Fixed Rates

Lahore, April 02, 2020 (PPI-OT): Provincial Industries and Trade Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal presided over Task Force for Price Control Committee meeting at CM Office. Steps taken for ensuring the provision and availability of essential edibles in the markets and their selling at fixed rates were reviewed in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. Secretary Industries and Trade Capt. (R) Zafar Iqbal, Additional Secretary, DG Industries, DGPR and concerned officers attended the meeting. Provincial Food Minister Sami Ullah Chaudhary, Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and police officers also attended the meeting via video link. It was also decided during the meeting to extend home delivery facility mechanism of essential items.

 

Aslam Iqbal while addressing the participants asserted that stores and shops found involved in repeatingly violating government fixed rates will be sealed. He further maintained that heavy fines will be imposed on store and shopkeeper owners for not displaying price lists. The Minister directed concerned officers and administration to ensure 100 percent implementation on price control mechanism alongwith enforcing writ of the government and should give ample proof of their vigilance. Governments machinery should also ensure availability of 20 kg flour bag at Rs. 808/- everywhere across the province as no negligence and inefficiency will be tolerated in this regard at any cost, he stressed.

 

Aslam Iqbal directed district supply management committees to keep a strict watch on the provision and availability of essential commodities in their respective districts. No complaint relating to non-availability of any item should be surfaced and it is basic responsibility of administration to ensure selling of essential items at fixed prices, concluded Aslam Iqbal. Provincial Food Minister Sami Ullah Chaudhary while addressing the participants via video-link stated that problem of flour scarcity and hike in its prices occurred at few places owing to panic buying beyond needs which caused disturbance in supply chain mechanism. The functioning of Qeemat App Punjab and performance of price control magistrates also came under review during the meeting.

 

For more information, contact:

Directorate General Public Relations

Government of the Punjab

Lahore, Pakistan

Tel: +92-42-9201390-86

Website: www.punjab.gov.pk