FINALLY, the government appears to be thinking beyond reducing fiscal and current account deficits to provide relief to the masses who have been hit hard by the price hike. The current situation, in fact, has also badly dented the popularity graph of the ruling party. Situation really warrants some practical steps and that too on an urgent basis to check the inflation. To this effect, Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired two important meetings on Monday. One was related to the prices of essential commodities and the second was about the power and gas tariffs. The decisions taken at these meetings reflect that the government is on the course correction path and desires to come up with some tangible measures that could bring ease in the common man’s life. Chairing the meeting on gas and power, the Prime Minister directed the authorities concerned to find out-of-box solution to bring down the prices of the utility bills whilst the other meeting decided to accelerate administrative measures against hoarding and take the necessary steps to check smuggling of items through the eastern and western borders. It was also decided in the meeting to double the wheat procurement target this year in order to bring stability in the price of wheat flour whilst the Commerce Ministry was directed to frame a mechanism in consultation with the stakeholders to pass on the relief of reduction in the international prices of ghee to the masses. It must be understood that there is a great connection between the prices of essential commodities and those of energy. If the government brings down the prices of fuel, whose prices are witnessing declining trend ever since the breakout of Corona Virus, as well as those of power and gas, it will automatically bring down the prices of essential commodities in the open market. We really appreciate the government for announcing a ten billion rupees relief package through the Utility Stores Corporation but it will have a very limited impact as items such as vegetable, fruit and meat are not available on these outlets. Therefore, if the government is really interested to pass on the relief, it should first of all reduce the prices of not only gas and power but also that of petrol, diesel and kerosene oil. Those paying their utility bills honestly should not be penalized for those involved in pilferage. A strict campaign needs to be launched against those involved in gas and power theft without any discrimination plus transmission system needs to be upgraded as this is the only way to cut the losses of DISCOs. Secondly, a crackdown should be launched against the hoarders and profiteers as these are the mafia who create artificial shortage of products to rob the pockets of poor consumers. Since the salaried class is the most affected by the price hike, they should be given a reasonable raise in their salaries in the next budget. If the government succeeds in its mission to check the prices, it will be in a better position to counter the moves of the Opposition which is bent upon exploiting the current situation in their favour.
