Profiteers, hoarders warned again

Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Sardar Usman Buzdar has directed the authorities concerned to continue administrative measures to stabilise the prices of essential commodities besides ensuring their availability to the people at the government specified rates.

The chief minister further asked the officials to keep a vigilant eye on the hoarders and profiteers, and launch a crackdown against them.

He said that action should be taken against the hoarders under The Punjab Prevention of Hoarding Ordinance 2020.

According to a handout issued on Sunday, Buzdar instructed the Provincial Price Control Committee to strictly monitor the prices of daily-use items and utilise all administrative powers to facilitate citizens in having access to the items at the designated prices.

He said that timely and effective measures of the government had brought down the prices of flour, sugar and other essential commodities.

“The government has provided relief to the people,” he claimed, adding, “Anyone found guilty of stockpiling commodities to later sell them at a higher rate will not be offered any lenience.”

He issued a warning of stern legal action against profiteers, saying illegal price hike fleeces citizens who are already bogged down by the pandemic.

In a bid to oversee monitoring of prices, the CM asked the commissioners and deputy commissioners to take action against hoarders and profiteers and send a detailed report to the Chief Minister's Office.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28^th, 2020.