Govt responsible for ensuring food security: Punjab CM

CM says to reduce malnutrition, food wastage must stop

LAHORE: Food is a basic necessity of life and Pakistan is one of the countries where underprivileged households have a one-time food availability, said Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar.

He expressed these views on Tuesday in a message on World Food Day. “It is the government's responsibility to ensure food security for the people.”

The CM said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has taken several steps to tackle this problem. “A revolutionary programme called Panah Gah is not only providing shelter to poor people but also ensuring their basic need for food. The federal government has also begun opening charity homes.”

Close coordination between the government and the private sector is essential to ensure food security, the CM added. “In order to reduce the possibility of malnutrition, food wastage should be stopped and the public should be informed about this.”

He added, “In order to prevent food waste, it is important to raise awareness among the public and those who have more food than the basic necessities, they should share their happiness with others.”

The CM highlighted that the provincial government has expanded the scope of the food authority to ensure quality food. “World Food Day aims to accelerate efforts to address problems associated with nutrition. Balancing the demand and supply of food and ensuring the provision of food to everyone is the government’s top priority.”

The CM maintained that the message of the day is to ensure the implementation of a well-crafted policy to tackle food insecurity. “All resources will be brought in to meet the nutritional needs of the country in a timely manner.”

CM expresses concern over price hike

The CM also expressed deep concerns over the increase in prices of certain essential items and vegetables. He said that the profiteers are not only breaking the law but also destroying the social fabric of society through their approach. “The government will no longer depend on paperwork. Instead, action will be taken against illegal profiteers.  Price control magistrates will have to step out and take action against the mafia.”

He added that the authorities concerned will control inflation and provide relief to the people and the price control committees also have to play an active role in this regard. He directed the Cabinet Committee on Price Control to take strict legal action against the producers of artificial inflation in every small and large city, in accordance with the law. “A foolproof mechanism to control inflation should be made.”

The CM ordered to conduct effective action against profiteers across the province and said that they cannot let people depend on profiteers. “Inflation is a problem of the common man which must be resolved at all costs. A report should be submitted to the Chief Minister's Office in this regard.”

He further said that they would make every effort to protect the rights of the people and provide relief to them. He concluded that on the complaint of consumers, shopkeepers who sell overpriced items will be prosecuted.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16^th, 2019.