PM decides to dissolve market committees in Punjab, K-P

Says do not see their role in view of current inflationary period

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided in principal to dissolve market committees in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Punjab, including Islamabad.

The committees were meant to stop profiteering and hoarding of essential items in the country.

The premier directed the provinces to introduce a system equivalent to the market committees and observed that during the current inflationary period the government did not see any role of the market panels.

He maintained that such a system would be established which could control the price hike of commodities.

The premier chaired a weekly briefing to review the price and availability of essential commodities in the country.

The finance minister stated that on the basis of yearly comparison review, consumer price index (CPI) in January was recorded at 5.7%, which was 14.6% last year.

Similarly, the CPI from July to January was recorded at 8.2%, which during the corresponding period last year was 11.2%. He said these figures showed a significant decline in the CPI.

The meeting was informed that prices of sugar, eggs and onions had reduced while the price of flour had been stable.

The session was further given a detailed briefing on the difference of prices in wholesale and retail (groceries) level and in different districts.

It was said that the difference in the prices of commodities in wholesale and retail indicated towards the failure of the market committees.

The meeting decided to dissolve the market committees in the PTI-led K-P and Punjab provinces at the earliest.

Until the constitution of committees based on competent people and in a transparent manner, this responsibility would be handed over to the district and tehsil administration concerned.

In case of non-implementation on the price list, action will be taken against the assistant commissioner concerned.

The meeting also deliberated on the measures taken to keep the price of sugar in control and discussed the sugar inquiry report.

It was decided that the process of installation of cameras in sugar mills would be expedited and that the FBR would provide the details of sales tax received on sugar to the provinces.

The premier stressed that ensuring the availability of essential commodities on affordable prices was the priority of the government.

He directed the utility stores management to ensure sufficient supplies of basic commodities.

He further asked the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to complete the assessment for commodities like flour and sugar so that the arrangements for their availability could be made in advance keeping in view their future demand.

PM Imran directed all the chief secretaries to ensure the implementation of price lists and asked the authorities concerned to take action against negligent officers.