Ramazan relief: Committee expresses concern over tomato price hike

Khanewal district admin told to deal with price hike

LAHORE: A meeting of the Cabinet Committee tasked with overseeing and monitoring prices during Ramazan was held at the Civil Secretariat on Saturday.

Minister for Industries Chaudhry Muhammad Shafiq, Additional Chief Secretary Shamail Ahmad Khawaja, Chief Minster’s Inspection Team Chairman Irfan Ali, Food Secretary Dr Pervaiz Ahmad Khan and Industries Secretary Khalid Sher Dil attended the meeting.

The meeting expressed concern at the high prices of tomatoes in several districts, especially Khanewal and Vehari.

The meeting decided to enhance the supply of tomatoes to Khanewal and Vehari, where the price of tomatoes exceeded to Rs50 per kilogramme.

Meanwhile in Attock, tomatoes were available for Rs22 per kg.

The additional chief secretary directed the Khanewal district administration to deal with the price hike.

Khawaja expressed satisfaction over the fact that the prices of other commodities in all 318 Ramazan Bazaars as well as in the open market had remained stable due to the Rs5 billion subsidy package provided by the government.

“This package has provided a lot of relief to the people,” he said.

He also appreciated the efforts of the government machinery in organising the Ramazan Bazaars. “The government will ensure that edibles including flour, sugar, fruits, vegetables and other commodities are available in Ramazan Bazaars as well as in the open market at subsidised prices,” he said.

Khawaja said that the government would ensure that shopkeepers did not give short-measure.

The additional chief secretary also directed district administrations to take preemptive measures for pre-monsoon rains expected in a couple of days.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 26^th, 2016.