The provision of daily-use commodities to people at the prices fixed by the government is the prime responsibility of administrative officers and any negligence in this regard will not be tolerated at all.
These views were expressed by the Provincial Minister for Industries Mian Aslam Iqbal while addressing a meeting held to review the mechanism of pricing of edibles and steps being taken to eradicate locusts in the province. Minister for Agriculture Malik Noaman Ahmad Langrial, Chief Secretary Punjab JawwadRafique Malik, Senior Member Board of Revenue Babar Hayat Tarar, administrative secretaries of various departments and officers concerned attended the meeting whereas divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners participated through video link.
The meeting reviewed the strategy for fixing prices of daily-use commodities, especially 10 essential food items, and deliberated on a proposal to fix prices of ghee, sugar flour, pulses, fruits, vegetables, chicken, mutton, and beef etc quarterly. It was decided that a committee would be set up to prepare recommendations on the mechanism to determine the prices of commodities every quarter.
The chief secretary asked the officers to keep a strict check on the prices of eatables even after Ramadan. Price lists should be displayed prominently and shops of violators should be sealed, he directed.
Later, the meeting reviewed the latest situation of locusts in the province and expressed satisfaction over the steps being taken for the eradication of the pest. The chief secretary was informed that timely measures helped protect crops on a vast area from swarms of locusts.
It was decided that the vehicles of different departments that are not in use due to coronavirus restrictions would be utilized in the ongoing locust combat operation and help will also be sought from Lambardars, patwaris, mosques prayer leaders (imams) and local communities to bring locusts under
