Approves dehydration project to ensure availability of off-season fruits, vegetables
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif chaired a special meeting attended by commissioners and deputy commissioners via video link to review detailed reports on fluctuations in the prices of essential commodities.
The meeting was informed that prices of 10 commodities continued to show a downward trend. It was agreed to ban the sale of 20kg flour bags across the province, allowing only 10kg flour bags to be sold in the market.
The chief minister ordered strict monitoring of inter-provincial borders to prevent wheat and flour smuggling. She directed all deputy commissioners to achieve wheat cultivation targets in their respective districts. It was also decided to cultivate wheat on all land covered under the Numberdar, Ghori Pal and Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar schemes. The chief minister ordered the cultivation of wheat on all government-owned land across the province.
The meeting also decided to introduce the “Transforming Market Waste into Wealth” initiative for the first time in Punjab. The chief minister approved a dehydration project under PAMRA to ensure the availability of off-season fruits and vegetables.
It was informed that Punjab’s first Mandi Mart project for fruits and vegetables had been launched in Kahna. The chief minister set a target for its early completion and directed the authorities to take steps to establish Mandi Marts across the province.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif ordered measures to ensure the availability of bananas, apples and dates at controlled prices in line with Ramazan requirements. She directed every deputy commissioner to ensure adequate stocks of these commodities in cold storage facilities in their respective areas to meet demand during the holy month.
The chief minister also directed the authorities to take effective measures to regulate the sale of loose milk in accordance with hygiene and food safety standards.
A comparative review of the prices of 15 essential commodities, including vegetables, pulses and other food items, was presented to the chief minister. The briefing stated that prices of 10 commodities had recorded a downward trend, with reductions reported at up to 252 per cent. Prices of most food items remained stable, while pulse prices also remained unchanged.
The meeting was further informed that the Price App would be upgraded to improve price monitoring and ensure stability in the market.