Provinces, local administrations urged to cooperate with Centre in controlling inflation
ISLAMABAD: The National Price Monitoring Committee has asked provinces to take responsibility of controlling inflation and cooperate with the federal government to bring down prices of essential items.
"The prices of essential items were increasing in the markets around the country causing unrest in the public however, it must also be remembered that after devolution, the function of price control falls under the domain of the provinces therefore, they must accept this responsibility and make efforts to appease the masses," Secretary Ministry of Finance and Revenue Naveed Kamran Baloch while chairing a meeting of National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) held here on Wednesday.
Senior representatives of the Provincial Governments, ICT Administration, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Utility Stores Corporation, Pakistan Customs and Cabinet Division attended the meeting.
Secretary Finance, after concluding the discussion on the prices of the essential items and a follow up on the decisions taken in the last meeting, said the local governments should be ready and prepared to take additional measures during Ramazan to save masses from price hike. If any help is required from the Federal Government, it shall be ready to facilitate, he added.
He said the provinces should share information as to which items other than the essential items, they think, add to inflation and how the government can help in coping with the scarcity.
"They should also share and guide the federal government and other provincial governments that how network of sasta bazaars will help to reduce inflationary pressures on the common man," he added.
Hoarding for profiteering should be checked at every level and every stage and necessary action under the law should be taken against profiteers and hoarders.
He proposed that the local government heads should ensure display of price lists and its applicability while smuggling of essential food items should also be dealt with utmost severity.
As far as the Federal Government is concerned, Secretary Finance said the issue is being taken with utmost importance as Prime Minister Imran Khan is particularly interested in reducing the burden on the common man which is increasing due to increase in prices. - APP