RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: The Taskforce for Price Control has decided to provide training to price control magistrate as well as to expedite crackdown against hoarders and illegal profiteers.

The decision was taken in a meeting of the Taskforce for Price Control, which was chaired by the Punjab Industries Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal here on Wednesday. The meeting reviewed the prices of 18 essential items and took important decisions to stabilize their prices in the markets.

It was decided to ensure strict monitoring after fixing prices of essential items in Lahore, Gujranwala, Multan, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi initially and later on, this price control mechanism will be implemented across the province. Moreover, 20-kg flour bag will be sold at Rs808, sugar at Rs72 per kg, red chilli at Rs325 and milk at Rs80 per liter in these cities. The prices of vegetables, fruits and other kitchen-items fixed by the market committees will also be ensured in open markets on a daily basis.

The meeting also decided that the price of 100 gram roti will remain fixed at Rs6 and revision in its prices will be made after the survey and report from special branch.

Addressing the meeting, the Minister said that “An increase in prices by the district administration without taking the line departments into confidence is deplorable and made it clear that if anybody does so in future, he would be personally responsible for it. He said that price control magistrates should personally visit markets to check the prices and they should refrain from sending officials to the markets for the same. He announced that he will conduct surprise visits to check the prices in the markets. “Stakeholders will be conducted for fixing the prices of ghee, rice, mutton, beef and chicken.

He reiterated that people will not be left at the mercy of hoarders, illegal profiteers and exploiting mafias will be dealt with an iron hand.

Punjab Agriculture Minister Nauman Langarial, secretaries of industries and livestock departments, Additional IG (Special Branch) and concerned officials attended the meeting.