CM for stern action against profiteers

 Says prices of essentials will be closely monitored in Ramazan

LAHORE

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan Muslim League-N government is implementing the agenda of public service and comprehensive measures have been taken for public welfare. 

He said the government had given a special package of billions of rupees for providing relief to the people in the real sense during Ramazan and a subsidy of Rs5 billion would be given for providing flour on concession during the holy month. He said Sasta atta would be available not only in Ramazan bazaars but also in open market whereas associations concerned would provide sugar, ghee, chicken and eggs at cheaper rates in Ramazan bazaars. He said that sugar, ghee and chicken would be available to consumers in Ramazan bazaars at concession rates. He said agriculture fair price shops would also be established in Ramazan bazaars where fruits, dates, vegetables and pulses would be available at discount rates. 

Talking to a delegation of the PML-N office-bearers, the chief minister said service to humanity was not less than worship and like previous years, the fruits of historic Ramazan Package would be delivered to common man this year also. He said that during Ramazan, profiteers and some elements in their lust for wealth created problems for the people. However, he said, he would personally monitor implementation of Ramazan Relief Package so that common man could be saved from hoarders and profiteers. 

The chief minister said the people's interest was dearest to him and no one would be allowed to exploit people in the form of profiteering. He said that all steps taken under Ramazan Package would be reviewed regularly and indiscriminate action would be taken against hoarders and profiteers. 

He said that hoarders and profiteers would not be allowed to create artificial price-hike. He said a comprehensive mechanism had been evolved for provision of quality daily use items, vegetables, and fruits at cheaper rates. He said that provision of quality essential items to the citizens at fixed rate was the responsibility of the departments concerned and no negligence would be tolerated in this regard. 

He said no compromise would be made on quality of essential commodities. He said that prices of essential items would be closely monitored in Ramazan.

He said the departments concerned would have to come into the field to ensure implementation of mechanism evolved for stabilising prices of essential commodities during Ramazan.