MUZAFFARGARH: Commissioner Dera Ghazi Khan division Sara Aslam Wednesday said that price magistrates could help overpower price hike by using powers delegated to them properly to ensure sale of commodities at prices fixed by the government besides checking hoarding and adulteration.
Presiding over a meeting here, she said that Punjab government was committed to provide relief to the people and it was the duty of the functionaries to enforce orders in letter and spirit to achieve the desired results.
Deputy commissioner Amjad Shoaib Khan Tareen and other officials were present. She ordered speeding up work on schemes including university and mother and child healthcare hospital in Muzaffargarh. She said that PC-1 of the projects that have not yet been approved must be prepared and ordered officials not to compromise on quality of work and material during execution of development schemes.
She ordered price magistrates to inspect markets on a daily basis to keep vigil on prices and take action in case of noticing any wrongdoing.
She also ordered improving law and order situation in the district and help resolve problems of the people particularly women as and when they approach officials with complaints.
DC Amjad Shoaib Khan Tareen said that 144 development schemes were part of the annual develop plan 2021-22 involving a cost of Rs 11.82 billion. He said that 135 schemes have been approved while PC-1 of six other schemes were under process. He added that remaining three schemes were rejected.
He disclosed a sum of over Rs 7 billion has been utilized till June 30, 2021 on 1161 development schemes undertaken during last three years. Tareen said that 30 price magistrates were operational in the district who have inspected over 6000 shops and imposed fine worth over Rs 900, 000 on violators. Moreover, fifteen shopkeepers were arrested and 41 cases were registered on violations of price control act.
Commissioner Sara Aslam later held a meeting with MPA Aon Hameed Dogar and both discussed development initiatives undertaken by the government for providing relief to the people and upgrading infrastructure. She said that the divisional administration would work jointly with elected representatives to resolve problems of the people.