Islamabad – Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday tasked the Punjab andKhyber Pakhtunkhwa governments to present a plan, within 24 hours, forincreasing the number of farmer markets, allowing private sector toestablish their own markets and rationalization of the regulatory regime.
The decision was taken during a high-level meeting here chaired by PrimeMinister to review the progress of administrative measures for bringingdown prices of essential commodities.
The plan is aimed at shifting towards compliance regime, doing away withthe condition of obtaining NOC from the government for setting up a farmmarket.
The Prime Minister has also tasked the provincial Chief Secretaries topresent a comprehensive plan for rationalization of wheat grinding ratio toenhance production of flour, on one hand, and to bring down flour prices onthe other.
The Prime Minister expressed serious concern over the existing pricedifference at wholesale and retail level, varying even at district level.
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The Prime Minister observed that existence of huge price difference at thetwo levels pointed towards weak implementation mechanism and inefficientregulatory mechanism.
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The Prime Minister observed that limited number of farmers markets in themajor cities was one of the causes of exploitation of farmers, undueprofits being made by the middlemen and resultant price-hike that adverselyaffected the poor.
The Prime Minister also took serious notice of the complaints ofnon-adherence to officially determined price list of essential commodities,at retail level, and directed that strict action be taken against violators.
Chief Secretaries briefed the meeting about action taken against variousflour mills over violations including less grinding of wheat released bythe provincial governments.
The Prime Minister also inquired from Chief Secretary Sindh about thereports of release of six years old 32000 MT wheat which was unsuitable forconsumption.
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