Staff Reporter
On the directions of the Prime Minister to ensure availability of eatables at officially fixed rates, the Punjab government has decided to establish Sahulat bazaars in all cities and issued instructions to the deputy commissioners to complete necessary arrangements in this regard.
The instructions were issued in a meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary Punjab at the Civil Secretariat.
The meeting reviewed the prices of essential commodities, especially flour, sugar, poultry, and the establishment of Sahulat bazaars.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Secretary said that the availability of flour, sugar, and other commodities at discounted rates in the Sahulat bazaars would be ensured.
He directed the officers to make functional Sahulat bazaars at the tehsil level as early as possible.
He said that the prices fixed by the government would be implemented as per the instructions of the Prime Minister and Chief Minister of Punjab.
He said that the prices, demand, and supply of food items in the open market should be closely monitored. He also issued orders for devising a mechanism to control the prices of poultry.
The Chief Secretary asked the officers to provide the required facilities to the farmers for setting up farmer platforms in the Sahulat bazaars.
He remarked that the establishment of private agricultural markets should be encouraged to control the prices of fruits and vegetables effectively.
The Agriculture Secretary mentioned that his department had issued 42 licenses to the private sector for the establishment of fruits and vegetable markets.
The meeting was briefed that a crackdown on profiteers and hoarders is underway across the province and the authorities arrested 3099 persons, registered 2413 cases, besides imposing fines of Rs. 98.6 million on violators.
