CM orders steps to start cane crushing

Availability of ample stocks of sugar in Punjab reported in meeting

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has said indiscriminate action against sugar hoarders and profiteers will continue and no one will be allowed to exploit the people.

While presiding over a meeting on Saturday, the chief minister called for taking all necessary steps for immediately starting the sugarcane crushing season. He gave instructions to Industries Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal in this regard.

He vowed to take all possible administrative measures to ensure sale of sugar at the prices set by the government.

Chief Minister Buzdar was briefed about sugar stocks and demand in the province. It was decided in the meeting that all necessary steps would to taken to stabilise the sugar prices.

He asserted that no one would be allowed to hoard sugar and an artificial increase in prices would not be tolerated. “People cannot be left at the mercy of profiteers,” he added. The government will take every decision in the best interest of the country and to safeguard the rights of the common people, he said.

Read PM orders stern action against sugar hoarders

The chief minister said the administration should ensure availability of sugar in small shops in order to stabilise the market. The sugar situation should be reviewed on a daily basis, he added.

He also gave instructions to the advocate general regarding court orders.

The chief minister was informed that there was ample stock of sugar in Lahore and other areas of the province. Sugar is available at Rs90 per kilogramme in 200 mega stores and 1,200 small shops in Lahore.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar took strict notice of a viral video showing a young man making fun of prayers. He sought a report from the Dera Ghazi Khan regional police officer regarding the matter. Muzaffargarh police have apprehended the suspect.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7^th, 2021.