Punjab Food Dept disbanded, new entity set up

LAHORE: The Punjab government has disbanded the Food Department after establishing a new administrative entity to manage commodity trade.

A notification concerning amendments to the First Schedule of the Punjab Government Rules of Business 2011 has been issued. The reform process, involving bifurcation of various functions of four government departments — Food Department (now disbanded), Agriculture Department, Industries, Commerce, Investment & Skill Development Department, and Population Welfare Department — was aimed at establishing a one-window Price Control & Commodities Management Department at the provincial level, including South Punjab.

With the Food Department ceasing to exist, a full of activity administrative operation, involving wheat and sugar sectors, finally came to an end for good. It may essentially deregulate most functions of commodity trade in the province after stoking free market phenomena.

The provincial government’s move on the one hand may put the lid on massive corrupt practices hindering wheat trade, on the other hand it will loosen price control both at farmgate and consumer end.

According to the notification, the secretariat of the newly created Price Control & Commodities Management Department will have attached departments under Director General (Commodities), Director General (Food/Cane Commissioner, Director of Agriculture (Economics and Marketing), Director, Punjab Institute of Agriculture Marketing, and Director, Consumer Protection Council, in addition to two autonomous bodies and companies namely Punjab Food Authority and Punjab Agriculture Marketing Regulatory Authority.

The newly formed department will be responsible for legislation, policy formulation and. planning as a measure of food security through wheat procurement, construction and maintenance of storage accommodation, storage and transportation of wheat, financial arrangements with the banks, release of wheat and its overall monitoring.

Moreover, the department will make sure administration of food laws, implement policies and measures to ensure provision of safe and quality food and hygiene, regulation of food business and policies and measures for elimination of food adulteration.

The department will carry out nutrition surveys, nutrition awareness and publicity with regard to food safety coupled with regulation of flour mills, sugar mills, registration of contractors, tendering and award of contract.

The Price Control & Commodities Management Department will also determine, monitor and report the wholesale and retail prices of all essential commodities across Punjab in addition to the consumers’ rights protection through Consumer Protection Councils and Consumer Courts.

With a view to appraising the supply chain, the new department will maintain, analyze and document comprehensive database of demand and supply throughout the year of essential commodities while keeping in view seasonal production, seasonal shortage, origins, crop failures in critical production areas, essential commodities importers, essential commodities middleman, essential commodities transporters, etc.

It will develop complete supply chain management in coordination and consultation with all relevant stakeholders while monitoring and implementing the supply chain management plans of all essential commodities in coordination with relevant stakeholders.

The newly established Price Control & Commodities Management Department will conduct economic studies, planning and policy making relating to essential commodities demand and supply, necessary subvention for disadvantaged groups and areas coupled with documenting all public and private storages for essential commodities.

Furthermore, it will run market information and intelligence system and take care of matters common to all market committees, generate reports relating to the data of critical markets and performance monitoring of all line offices, inter-provincial trade matters, budget, accounts and audit matters, service matters except those entrusted to the Services and General Administration Department.