Amraiz Khan
On the direction of the Prime Minister, the Punjab government has continued a vigorous crackdown on profiteers, hoarders, adulterators across the province. During the past three months, the authorities arrested 2,456 persons, registered 2523 cases, imposed fines of about Rs128 million on violators over overcharging, besides recovering a huge quantity of hoarded sugar, rice, wheat, flour, and ghee.
According to a report presented at a meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Punjab at the Civil Secretariat on Tuesday, teams recovered 20,000 bags of sugar, 302 bags of rice, 3130 bags of wheat (each of 50 kg), 3629 bags (20 kg) of flour and 35,000 kilograms of hoarded ghee during the raids in different cities in three months. Similarly, the Punjab Food Authority sealed 3118 units, got registered 148 cases, and imposed fines of about Rs 150 million during the drive against adulteration in the last three months. It also destroyed 7,000 kg of unwholesome meat and other adulterated items including 1.4 million liters of milk, 1300 kg of spices, 2300 kg of pulses, 10,000 kg of ghee, and 3400 liters of water.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chief Secretary said that as per the directions of the Prime Minister and Chief Minister Punjab, the prices, demand, and supply of essential commodities are being closely monitored and the common man has got relief due to the establishment of Sahulat bazaars and other initiatives taken by the government. He directed the officers to deal with the hoarders, profiteers, and adulterators with iron hands and keep a close watch on the prices of essential commodities as well as their quality and supply. He said that ‘timely planning is vital’ about demand and supply of goods and the forecasting committee should work actively in this regard.
The Chief Secretary directed the director-general of Punjab Food Authority to continue the crackdown against adulterators more effectively and pay special attention to setting standards for the quality of eatables. He remarked that the perpetrators of adulteration of food items are ‘playing with people’s health and lives’, adding that they do not deserve any leniency. He also directed the deputy commissioners to send a comprehensive report on footfall in every Sahulat bazaar. The Secretary of Industries Department gave a detailed briefing to the meeting on the price trends and availability of essential commodities including flour, sugar, vegetables, ghee, and eggs. The Additional Chief Secretary, administrative secretaries of different departments including food and agriculture, CEO Urban Unit, DG Punjab Food Authority, director of Food Punjab, deputy commissioner Lahore attended the meeting whereas all other deputy commissioners participated through video link.
