Officials get magistrate powers to regulate prices

In the wake of the failure of price control magistrates to curb the persistent rise in the prices of essential commodities, including food items, vegetables, fruits, milk, meat, and bread, the Punjab government has sanctioned the conferment of powers of Special Magistrate (First Class) upon all heads and designated officers of provincial departments.

Accordingly, the government has formally empowered all 43 Deputy Commissioners (DCs) across the province to implement these powers. Each DC may now appoint officers from various departments as Special Magistrates (First Class), in addition to the existing price magistrates, to strengthen price regulation and enforcement mechanisms within their respective districts.

Implementation of these directives has already commenced. Under the revised arrangement, officers such as District Officers (Civil Defence), Deputy District Education Officers, Municipal Officers, Tehsildars, Naib Tehsildars, Girdawars, District Officers (Fisheries), Deputy Directors (Environment), Deputy Directors (Agriculture), and Deputy District Officers (Health) may all be appointed as Special Magistrates.

The system has already been put into effect across South Punjab, while a list of eligible officers from all six districts of the Rawalpindi Division has been sought.