LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar directed the Deputy Commissioners to initiate a massive crackdown against the hoarders and all of those responsible for creating artificial price hike.
He issued these directions while presiding over a meeting at his office on Wednesday in which steps taken for the control of prices were reviewed in detail. The Chief Minister reiterated that strict action would be initiated against the hoarders.
The CM directed the authorities concerned to register cases against hoarders and their stock be confiscated. He said the sale of essential items according to official rate lists must be ensured. Jail is the right place for the hoarders, he added. He directed the administrative officers to personally monitor the price control steps and asked the Commissioners and DCs to monitor the situation. Hoarders and illegal profiteers do not deserve any leniency, he maintained.
He said that proactive work had to be done for giving genuine relief to the people through stern action against the elements creating artificial price hike.
Usman Buzdar made it clear that those who do not work would not remain on their posts. He said that lame excuses would not be helpful with regard to implementation of price control and no negligence would be tolerated. He ordered to set up monitoring cell at CM Office adding that he would personally monitor the price control mechanism.
He said that prices would be directly monitored from markets through PITB vans which had also been directed to provide necessary help to the line departments in this regard.
He said that officials of concerned departments should personally monitor the auction process in vegetable markets.
Provincial Ministers Mian Aslam Iqbal, Hashim Jawan Bakhat, Samiullah Chaudhry, Naoman Langrial, Chairman Price Control Committee Ch. Akram, ACS, IG Police, Commissioner and DC Lahore and others attended the meeting while Divisional Commissioners attended the meeting through video link. Secretary Industry gave a briefing about the steps taken for price control and prices of different items.