CM orders vegetable price reduction

Stresses demand forecasting to help prevent hoarding

LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed deep concern over price hike of tomatoes and other vegetables in markets.

Chairing a meeting, she directed all stakeholders to take immediate measures to bring down the vegetable prices and ensure their availability in markets across Punjab.

She directed the authorities concerned that price lists should be prominently displayed at all shops and entrances of marketplaces, so that consumers can clearly see and compare the rates of edibles and other commodities. She emphasised that the impact of Punjab government's public welfare steps to reduce prices of essential edibles should be evident at the public level.

The CM was presented a plan by the Price Control and Commodity Management Department, outlining reforms and technological interventions aimed at improving price regulation and consumer protection.

She was informed about a centralised digital dashboard and a mobile app to provide real-time data on availability of vegetables, stocks and rates.

Officials said additional measures will include monitoring of supply chains, including GPS tracking of vegetable trucks, flour availability and wheat grinding from the Price Monitoring and Control Centre.

They also said carts of a standard design will be introduced across Punjab for selling vegetables to bring order to street vending.

The chief minister approved a uniform branding of all 239 'Maryam Nawaz Farmers and Vegetable Markets' across the province. The markets will feature a uniform for the staff, standard design of shades, shops and deployment of mechanical sweepers to ensure cleanliness.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was briefed on enforcement of price control laws in the province.

She reviewed proposals to set up affordable stalls in every neighbourhood and ordered effective enforcement of consumer protection laws in the markets, especially during Ramazan. She was also briefed about the Nigehbaan Ramazan Package..