Govt takes microscope to price control steps

CM says strict legal action will be taken against hoarders


Our Correspondent July 04, 2019
PHOTO: CREATIVE COMMONS

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar presided over a meeting at his office on Wednesday during which steps taken for controlling prices of essential items were reviewed.

The CM directed that a massive crackdown against hoarders be initiated and made it clear that the people will not be left at the mercy of those responsible for creating an artificial price hike. He maintained that strict legal action will be initiated against hoarders.

The chief minister ordered that cases should be registered against hoarders and their stock should be confiscated. He directed administrative officers to personally monitor steps for price control. “Hoarders and profiteers do not deserve any leniency,” he said.

He added that a monitoring cell will be set up in the CM’s office and he will personally monitor the price control mechanism. He stated that the mechanism will be directly monitored through vans set up by the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) which has been directed to provide necessary help to line departments.

He said that officials concerned should personally monitor the auction process in vegetable markets. Provincial Ministers Mian Aslam Iqbal, Hashim Jawan Bakht, Samiullah Chaudhry, Noman Langrial, Chairman Price Control Committee Chaudhry Akram and others attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, the chief minister presided over another meeting at his office on Wednesday where it was decided to promote religious and heritage based tourism in the province.

Addressing the meeting, Buzdar said that the necessary facilities will be ensured at tourist spots and new spots will also be developed in eight different cities. A proposal is under consideration to construct readymade rooms made of fibreglass and steel at tourist spots.

He directed officials to improve the standard of facilities at Hiran Minar. He added that the potential of desert tourism can be tapped by having double decker buses travel through Multan and Bahawalpur.

Meanwhile, Rohtas Fort Parkway will be developed in Tilla Jogian, Jhelum and camping sites will be set up in Cholistan and Thal while a parkway project will also be introduced in Koh-e-Suleman. He said that resorts will be set up in Kala Bagh and Namal Lake in order to promote tourism.

On the other hand, the potential for eco-tourism will be utilised in Ochali Lake area of Soan Skasar valley. He said that tourism sites will be developed alongside Sindh River near Attock Khurd. He directed officials to utilise social media platforms and the internet to promote tourism and said that it would open new chapters of prosperity.

Buzdar was briefed that work is being carried out on the parkway project in Kotli Satiyan and tourism will be promoted by developing a resort at Dhorabi Lake.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4th, 2019.

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