Governor Punjab Muhammad Balighur Rehman has officially promulgated the Punjab Price Control of Essential Commodities Ordinance 2023, utilizing the powers granted under Clause (1) of Article 128 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
The newly enacted ordinance aims to establish effective mechanisms for fixing prices of essential commodities, combating artificial price hikes, and preventing profiteering in the province of Punjab. The ordinance outlines the formation of a Price Control Council and District Price Control Committees, with the Deputy Commissioner of the respective district serving as the Controller of Prices and Supplies.
According to the ordinance, the Provincial Controller General will be the Secretary Industries, Commerce, Investment, and Skills Development Department. The Price Control Council, chaired by the Minister for Industry and Commerce, will include members such as the Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Food, Chief Secretary Punjab, and other relevant departmental secretaries.
District Price Control Committees will be notified by Deputy Commissioners, responsible for reviewing essential commodity prices and ensuring the implementation of price control provisions. The ordinance strictly prohibits selling essential commodities above the fixed prices, mandating the display of price lists at prominent sales points.
Violation of the ordinance may result in imprisonment for up to three years or a fine up to one lakh rupees, or both. Subsequent convictions could lead to stricter penalties, emphasizing the importance of adherence to the ordinance’s provisions.
Additionally, the ordinance provides an avenue for appeal. Any aggrieved producer, dealer, importer, or seller can appeal the Controller of Prices and Supplies’ order within seven working days to the relevant Divisional Commissioner, whose decision will be final.
In a separate directive, Governor Punjab Muhammad Balighur Rehman, acting as Chancellor, has instructed all public and private universities’ Vice-Chancellors to observe one week in November/December as “Diabetes Awareness Week.” The governor emphasized the importance of mobilizing faculty members and students to raise awareness about diabetes. He urged the universities to make the observance of Diabetes Week a permanent yearly feature, organizing seminars, discussions, and leveraging social media for spreading awareness. Vice-Chancellors are directed to submit a comprehensive report on Diabetes Week activities to the Governor Secretariat in the second week of December.
