PRICES OF ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT DOWN THROUGH CONTINUOUS MONITORING AND IMPROVED SUPPLY: BILAL YASIN

Provincial Minister for Food Bilal Yasin chaired the meeting of the ministerial committee overseeing the Ramadan relief package at Darbar Hall Civil Secretariat here on Friday. Agriculture Minister Ashiq Hussain Kirmani and Secretaries of concerned departments were present on the occasion while Divisional Commissioners participated in the meeting through video link. The Provincial Food Minister told the meeting that due to government initiatives and efforts, there was a trend of reduction in the prices of essential commodities during the holy month and relief was provided to the citizens. The prices of onions, potatoes and tomatoes were brought down significantly through continuous monitoring and improved supply. Price control is a constant effort and teams have to remain active in the field. The plan to prevent inflation during the last days of Ramadan and the days of Eid is ready and the administration needs to be on their toes. The availability, prices and monitoring process of essential items during Ramadan was reviewed during the meeting. The Provincial Minister for Food addressed the meeting while saying that the team worked hard during Ramadan and its effect can be seen in the form of reduction in prices. He directed the administration that the same spirit must continue in order to prevent inflation and artificial shortage during the last days of Ramzan and the Eid days. He directed that the supply and prices of chicken, onion, potato, tomato and other essential items should be fully monitored. Provincial Agriculture Minister Ashiq Hussain Kirmani said that thousands of people are benefiting from agricultural fair price shops every day and these fair price shops will remain operational till 27 Ramadan. The meeting was told that prices of essential commodities in Punjab province are lower than all other provinces and the quality of commodities is also being continuously monitored. The provincial food minister directed that the price control magistrates should remain active in the field and artificial shortage of any commodity or unjustified increase in prices should not be allowed.