KP govt to check price hike through ‘independent’ mechanism

By Muhammad YaseenPublished On 06 Jan 2023

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has put in place a price control mechanism to verify prices and supply of daily use commodities in markets through unofficial and independent sources across the province.

The provincial cabinet, which met here on Tuesday, was briefed about the new price control mechanism. Chief Minister Mahmood Khan chaired the meeting. The cabinet was informed that the price control mechanism was linked with Performance Management and Reforms Unit (PMRU).

Briefing media about the decisions taken in the cabinet meeting, Minister for Information Shaukat Ali Yousafzai said that prices of commodities in all districts would be uploaded on the dashboards of the chief minister and chief secretary on daily basis.

He said that prices of commodities would be checked through unofficial and independent sources. He said that the cabinet decided that deputy commissioners would submit a report on violation of the official price list of commodities. He said that the cabinet asked administrations of all districts to take action against hoarders and take appropriate measures to reduce the prices of essential commodities.

Mr. Yousafzai said that government would announce a package to provide maximum relief to poor people. The decision was taken in light of the increase in the prices of essential commodities. Under the package, the government would either give cash to destitute people or subsidy on food items on a monthly basis, he said.

The cabinet directed the finance department and planning and development department to complete homework within one week to start the proposed relief program. The cabinet appreciated the performance of secretary relief and the PMRU team for devising an effective mechanism for price control and directed that the existing mechanism would be made more useful.

The cabinet was also briefed about the existing stock of wheat in the province. Officials of the food department said that the provincial government had purchased 400,000 metric tons of wheat from Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation of which 250,000 metric tons of wheat had been procured. The cabinet directed the department to transport the remaining stock of wheat to the province.

Minister Shaukat Yousafzai said that the existing wheat stock would meet requirements of the province till April 30. He claimed that the government’s steps brought stability in the prices of wheat and flour in the market.

He said that the cabinet was briefed about the first two quarters of the Annual Development Programme and progress on ongoing development schemes. It was informed that Rs420 billion out of total Rs440 billion had been utilized on development schemes during the last five years. All departments were directed to start preparations for development schemes to be included in the next budget.

The cabinet approved Rs60 million grants in aid for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment to meet its operational expenditures during the current financial year, amendments in provincial Wildlife and Biodiversity Rules, 2016 and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rules of Business, 1985 Schedule-II.

Mr. Yousafzai said that Chief Minister Mahmood Khan held separate meetings with ministers, advisers, and special assistants after the cabinet meeting. He said that the chief minister told cabinet members to show their performance and he would check attendance of ministers in their offices.

“I will not support any minister, who does not show performance,” the minister quoted Mahmood Khan as saying. “The chief minister’s tone was clear and he categorically said that every member of the cabinet will work on the fast track,” said Mr. Yousafzai, adding that Mahmood Khan for the first time gave a timeline to cabinet members.

He said that the ministers were directed to prepare their weekly schedule and ensure attendance in offices. He said that the chief minister directed for monitoring corruption in every department and identifying corrupt elements within one month. He said that corrupt officials would be dismissed.

He added that the chief minister would also meet senior officers next week.