KARACHI: Prices must remain stable round the year: CM
KARACHI, Sept 25: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim on Monday ordered the administration to maintain a strict price-control during Ramazan and take stringent action against those found indulged in hoarding and profiteering.
He issued the directive while chairing a high-level meeting at the CM’s House to discuss prices of essential commodities and the price-control exercise. Chief secretary, secretaries of home, industries and agriculture departments, EDOs, DDOs and other senior officials attended the meeting.
Dr Arbab noted that while all DDOs had been delegated powers of a first-class magistrate, they should now perform as price control magistrates.
He stressed that prices must be kept under control round the year and not only in the month of Ramazan. He asked the
IGP to extend all cooperation to the price control magistrates with regard to action against hoarders and profiteers.
He directed that fines be imposed on the shopkeepers found indulged in fleecing people.
He called for convening of weekly meetings of DCOs and DDOs for a review of price control exercise and achievements or shortcoming in this respect.
Dr Arbab suggested that bachat bazaars of vegetables should also be organised at the places where Sunday Bazaars were being held. At such vegetable bazaars, he added, farmers be given stalls.
The chief minister held out the assurance that meat prices in Karachi would also be brought under control. He advised people to approach the DCO in case of a complaint about prices.
Dr Arbab exhorted the officials to perform their duty vis-à-vis price control with determination and commitment. He declared that from now on, no leniency would be shown to those indulging in price escalation.
Chief Secretary Fazlur Rehman briefed the chief minister on the price control exercise and assured him that effective control during and after Ramazan would be ensured.—APP
