June 07, 2008	Saturday	Jamadi-us-Sani 02, 1429

KARACHI, June 6: The Sindh cabinet on Friday decided in principle to set up district peace committees and price control committees. The objective of the committees is to improve and sustain the law and order situation and to protect the rights of consumers by stabilising prices through monitoring supplies of goods.

These decisions were announced by provincial Information Minister Shazia Marri while addressing a press conference after the cabinet’s meeting.

This was the first cabinet meeting after the induction of coalition ministers of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and the addition of the Pakistan People’s Party’s ministers in the second phase.

In the meeting, presided over by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, two summaries pertaining to law and order and price controls were presented for decisions.

The cabinet was also informed about other pressing issues like the shortage of water in lower riparian areas, position of wheat procurement and threat to the coastal areas from the brewing cyclone.

The minister said the cabinet also reviewed its decision with reference to the removal of tinted glass from car windows and fancy number plates.

Regarding the formation of district peace committees, the minister said that besides DCOs – who would be the secretaries of the committees – they would include officials concerned as members in addition to notables and elected representatives of the area.

About price control committees, the minister said that in the past, the bureau of supplies and prices was merged with the food and agriculture department but now, it was being revived and would soon start functioning with the appointment of its director-general and making the necessary staff available.

The minister said besides the DCO, EDO and DDO, the price committees would also have area notables up to the provincial level as without the participation of stakeholders, the committee could not be functional.

She said the composition and strength of the members of the two committees were yet to be finalised.

Responding to questions after the briefing, Ms Marri said the Sindh budget would be presented after the federal budget, which was going to be announced on June 11. She said the volume of Sindh’s development budget would be more than what it was in the current budget. She said that in view of the brewing cyclone in the coastal areas, the departments concerned had taken necessary measures. Ms Marri said that fishermen had been asked not to go out in the open sea while the revenue minister had started preparations for relief measures.