Salma Butt, the Chairperson of the CM Task Force for Price Control in Punjab, has said that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is now working on the ventures to develop effective policies to give relief to the people of the province, especially in items of basic necessity. To check inflation and also to avoid artificial scarcity in the market and to check the hoarding tendency of the black market, the government is adopting stringent measures.
During the press conference on Saturday, Salma Butt emphasized the capacities of the special task force assigned in accordance with the order of CM Maryam Nawaz. This process is to bring back some necessary items’ prices’ stability in order to be affordable to the common people. These centres of power—one of the significant efforts includes a subsidy of Rs. 45 billion announced by the Chief Minister to support the province residents.
According to Salma Butt, the forces of demand and supply are being watched carefully in the markets while all the stakeholders involved in the determination of price are monitoring the process. She said that through consultation with poultry organizations, costs of chickens have been liberalized through Complete Restoration of the Cost-Plus Formula. This focus is not only on five major products; more attention is paid to their prices, and they are very sensitive and their prices cannot be changed too often.
Maintaining Orderly Supply Of Major Products
Surprisingly, Punjab is in a position to supply a large number of potatoes it still has to depend on other provinces for seasonal food items like onions and tomatoes. Salma Butt pointed out that it is important to continue supplying these important items, and there are measures that are put in place to ensure that this is maintained.
Digitalization To Eliminate The Middlemen
Adding on to this, Salma Butt added that the government intends to googol markets, a measure that will ensure that middlemen who have been seen to be inflating unnecessarily the prices of things are eliminated. Another initiative to ensure transparency has been made by introducing the Punjab Qeemat App, which lets the people see the price of commodities of their interest through their mobile phones. Also, there is an easier way to lodge complaints and these are addressed on a priority basis by Price Control Magistrates.
Strengthening Regulatory Measures
In addition to this, to enhance the efficiency of the system, the provincial government plans to establish the ‘Price Enforcement and Regulatory Authority’. It is also to increase the number of price control magistrates besides opening Tehsil offices. Special police units will also be developed to provide an immediate response to violators; a fine management plan will also be implemented for the sake of compliance.
The Punjab government has earnestly planned to control the price hike and bring a new relief package for the public, as the chief minister, Maryam Nawaz, can vividly visualize for the province.
FAQs
Q1. What measures has the Punjab government undertaken for price control?
A1. The Punjab Government has also formed a special cell to regulate the rising prices of the necessary items that were artificially scarce and, on the other side, hoarded as well.
Q2. What amount has CM Maryam Nawaz announced for subsidies for controlling the prices?
A2. Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz proposed a Rs 45 billion subsidy for people of Punjab, and this is what the people need.
Q3. How is the Punjab Qeemat App involved in price control?
A3. The Punjab Qeemat App provides means for the citizens to check the current rates of the commodities, along with the ability to file a complaint and get the relevant actions to be taken by the price control magistrates.
Q4. What measures are being taken by the Punjab government to guarantee a constant availability of crucial vegetables?
A4. Currently, Punjab depends on other provinces for the importation of seasonal vegetables such as onions and tomatoes, among others, and the government is doing everything possible to make sure the supply is made constant.
Q5. What measures have been taken to minimize the middlemen?
A5. Another measure that has been adopted by the government is the process of dematerialization of markets, thereby reducing the influence of middlemen, which has been seen to constantly increase the prices of the basic commodities, hence the volatility of the markets.
