The Punjab government has decided to crack down against the wheat smugglers and sugar hoarders in the province, reported the 24NewsHD TV channel.
According to sources, the Punjab Chief Secretary following the special directions of Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has assigned the responsibilities of monitoring to the special branch with a firm resolve that the life of wheat smugglers and sugar mafia will be made difficult.
In this regard, Chief Secretary Punjab presided over a meeting at the Civil Secretariat on Tuesday.
The meeting reviewed the plan of action to control the prices of flour and sugar.
Chief Secretary held in the meeting that the sale of flour and sugar at higher than fixed rates is not acceptable at any cost.
He directed the deputy commissioners for a major crackdown against the smuggling and hoarding of sugar and flour.
He said that wheat and sugar smugglers, hoarders, and profiteers will be dealt with an iron hand. They are extorting money by creating an artificial scarcity of goods, he hinted. He also issued directions to the officers to stabilize the prices of flour and sugar through effective administrative measures.
He directed them that the supply and demand of the items should be closely monitored along with the prices of commodities.
It has been decided in the meeting that the Special Branch will provide support to the administration for acting against hoarders.
On the occasion, Secretary Food gave a detailed briefing to the meeting.
He told the meeting there are ample stocks of wheat and sugar in the province.
The Secretary of the Industry and Finance Departments, the Director of Food Punjab, and concerned officers attended the meeting.