ISLAMABAD, June 23: The Monopoly Control Authority has taken serious notice of cartelization of cement and hike in its prices and decided to take action against them to protect interests of consumers.

“We are collecting details and show-cause notices will be issued in a couple of days,” said MCA Chairman Syed Bilal Ahmed here on Thursday.

He said a penalty would be imposed against all those who did not provide the required information in this regard. He said the situation was being reviewed and strict action would be taken against those found involved in the price hike of cement.

Mr Bilal, who recently joined the MCA as its chief, said “cartelization is a general problem in the world and Pakistan is no an exception, but it would be checked properly to safeguard consumers rights.”

“Prior to taking action against those found responsible for price hike, the matter of supply and demand would be taken into account,” he remarked.

He pointed out: “We are in the process of drafting new competition laws in order to make amendment in the existing laws for safeguarding the interests of consumers, besides making the organization efficient and checking unfair trade practices.

Responding to a question, the MCA chairman said the new laws had been discussed in a meeting of the assurance committee of the National Assembly and these would be introduced by the end of December this year. “These laws will ensure fair play for all stakeholders, including industry and consumers.”

Talking about his priorities to make the organization efficient and effective, he said his first and foremost priority would be to clear the backlog of over 150 pending cases.

Most of the cases, he said, related to sugar, cement and other industries and these would be solved on priority basis.

The MCA chief said measures were being evolved to build capacity and enhance skill development of the staff, enabling them to deliver the goods in a better way.—APP