Secretary Food informed that Punjab has taken all measures to check the price and supply of wheat flour (Atta). The Food Department monitors mills, dealers and retailers so that no undue profiteering may occur in price of Atta. This was stated by him in a meeting held in the Industries, Commerce & Investment Department to review the prices and availability of essential commodities, which was chaired by secretary industry on Saturday.
Secretary industry, Director General Bureau of Statistics Punjab, representatives of Livestock & Dairy Development Department, Agriculture Department and DCO Lahore attended the meeting. He further informed that 20-kg Atta bag is being sold at average price of Rs 670 while it is available in Itwar and Juma Bazaars by 10 to 15 rupees less than the open market.
Secretary, Industries, Commerce & Investment Department speaking on the occasion directed to the participants that Industries Department monitors prices, production and demand of 19 essential commodities on daily basis. Comparison of last two months indicates that nine items ie potato, onion, red chillies, ghee, sugar, irri-rice, moong, gram pulse and milk showed downward trend. Maximum price decrease was observed in potato that came down upto Rs 10-kg. Nine items ie masoor pulse, mutton, beef, chicken meat, basmati rice, tomato, eggs, wheat flour and mash pulse showed upward trend.
The maximum price rise was noticed in Tomato. However, representative of Agriculture Department informed that the price of Tomato will comedown by mid February when the production will start from Sindh Province. According to the Agriculture Department due to better crop of sugarcane and wheat there are no chances of price hike in these items. Secretary Industries paid thanks to the participants and asked them to come up with detailed analysis and data regarding crop trend and effects of climate change on production in the next meeting.
