Warehouse rules in the offing to curb hoarding

New law empowers authorities to award minimum one-month imprisonment over violation

LAHORE:

The Punjab government has decided to introduce stringent laws to curb hoarding and profiteering.

Presiding over a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Business on Tuesday, Punjab Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Muhammad Basharat Raja underscored the need of introducing more stringent laws.

Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar has already signed an ordinance to amend the Price Control and Prevention of Profiteering and Hoarding Act, 2022.

Read PM warns Sindh of intervention over inaction against hoarders

Under the legislation, the Punjab Price Control Council will be constituted under the leadership of the chief minister. The council will have 11 other members, including the ministers for industries, commerce and investment, livestock and dairy development, food and agriculture along with the chief secretary, Planning and Development Board chairman, additional chief secretary home, industries, agriculture, food and livestock secretaries and a member nominated by the chief minister.

The council will analyse prices of essential commodities in markets, monitor action taken and ensure implementation of the Price Control Act.

The new law empowers authorities to award minimum one-month imprisonment on violation of the Punjab Price Control Act with the provision of maximum three-year imprisonment.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 9^th, 2022.