Peshawar, September 27 (Online): A high-level meeting regarding price review of essential food items was held in Peshawar on Monday.
The meeting reviewed latest prices of essential food items, their availability situation, implementation price fixed by the government and implementation of the decisions taken in the last meeting.
Provincial Minister for Food Atif Khan, Chief Secretary Dr Kazim Niaz, Secretary Food Khushal Khan and other concerned high ups attended the meeting. The meeting was given a detail briefing about the availability of food items, their prices and steps being taken to monitor them.
The meeting was told that, during the last week, prices of four food items decreased which included wheat flour, sugar, onion and garlic while the prices of nine items remain unchanged including Basmati rice, beef, mutton, ghee, pulses and others.
The meeting was informed that the supply of wheat flour and its prices remained stable across the province adding that in order to control the prices of sugar since September 1st till 23rd September, a total of 2145 units were checked and a total fine of Rs. 1.5 lac were imposed for overpricing.
In order to stabilize the prices of all essential commodities from September 1st to 23rd a total of 2379 units were inspected and 186 FIRs were lodged for over pricing and 268 units were sealed in this regard. It was further told that 105 FIRs were lodged and 195 shops had been sealed due to unavailability of government fixed price lists.
The meeting was apprised that since 1st September a total of 403 complaints had been registered on Pakistan Citizen Portal regarding overcharging, out of total, actions had been taken on 294 complaints while the rest were being addressed as per timelines. Public satisfaction regarding complaints redressal on Pakistan Citizen Portal remained 62%.
The chief minister while expressing satisfaction over the steps being taken by the administration to control prices and ensure the availability of essential commodities further directed the quarters concerned to further improve the situation and continue actions against hoarders and adulteration.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that one of the main objectives of the provincial government was to provide maximum relief to public regarding essential commodities.
Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, on the occasion, directed the authorities concerned to monitor supply of food items and keep close eyes on hoarding and profiteering and strict actions be taken against those involved in hoarding.
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