PTI govt takes steps to check prices of edible items

PM Imran says proposal to provide ration under Ehsaas Programme under consideration

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Wednesday all steps would be taken to provide relief to the common man, stressing that provision of sustenance to the poor was the responsibility of the state and no effort would be spared in this regard.

Chairing a high-level meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office to review the steps for the schedule price control, Khan said a proposal to provide food items to the deserving people under the government’s Ehsas Programme was under consideration.

He said the government was determined to provide relief to the common man and all steps in this regard would be taken. He added that a system would be introduced to ensure that no additional burden was put on the poor people.

The meeting was attended by Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mehmood Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan, interior secretary, chief secretaries of Punjab and KP, chief commissioner of Islamabad and senior officials.

The prime minister directed the authorities concerned to take action against hoarding and profiteering. In this regard, he directed for the effective use of modern technology.

The Punjab chief secretary briefed the meeting about the determination of prices of the edible items and the steps taken to overcome hoarding. He said representatives of the traders and the manufacturers had been included in a task force on overcoming the unusual increase in prices of edibles.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the participants were informed that a web portal will be launched to overcome the increase in the prices, while the performances of the price control magistrates were being reviewed.

Apart from this, a procedure for production cost and effects of weather change on the determination of prices of edible items will be clarified. The meeting was also informed about the reservations of the Nanbai’s Association over the price of bread.

The KP chief secretary briefed the meeting about the crackdown on the hoarders and profiteers in the province. The prime minister was also informed that Sasta bazaars will be set up in the federal capital for three days a week.

Addressing the meeting, the prime minister said that all possible efforts would be taken to provide relief to the common man and a system would be implemented so that no additional burden was put on the common man.

He directed for ensuring implementation of a systematic mechanism to keep a check on the prices of edible items in the wholesale markets on a daily basis and called for regular dissemination of information about their prices by the authorities concerned.

He also emphasised the need for adopting an organised strategy for making the markets auction process transparent to discourage exploitation of farmers and enabling them to get a fair profit of their hard work.

The prime minister stressed the need for expediting steps for formation of market committees and enhancing their performance so that prompt action could be taken against hoarders and unfair profit makers.