In a bid to curb rising prices of essential food items, the Punjab government has decided to establish a new department dedicated to price control while proposing major amendments to existing legislation.
According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, a bill titled "The Punjab Price Control of Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2024" was introduced in the Punjab Assembly, aiming to restructure the Price Control Council and revise its powers and leadership framework.
According to the bill’s text, the chairmanship of the Council will now be held by the Minister for Price Control or a representative nominated by the Chief Minister, whereas previously the post was reserved for the Minister of Industries and Commerce or the CM’s nominee.
Currently, there is no formal Ministry of Price Control, but government sources indicate that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz will retain this portfolio herself.
The bill also proposes transferring the role of the Council’s Secretary from the Secretary of Industries to the Director General of Commodities.
New members proposed for the council include heads of the Livestock Department and the Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority, while the number of experts and stakeholders in the council is set at three each, as per the draft.
The bill has been referred to the relevant committee of the Punjab Assembly, which is expected to submit its report within two months.
Reporter: Rao Dilshad