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FAISALABAD, Dec 04 (APP): Special Assistant to Chief Minister for Price Control and Commodities Management Salma Butt on Thursday said that the Punjab government on special directives of Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz had intensified comprehensive and coordinated measures across the province to ensure effective protection of consumer rights and provide them relief from inflation, profiteering and adulteration.
She was addressing an important session on the theme of “Consumer Protection”. She said that Punjab government was taking practical and strict actions to promote consumer rights, eliminate profiteering, improve quality standards and ensure proper market regulation. She said that the chief minister had issued clear instructions that no negligence would be tolerated in the matters related to public interest.
Salma Butt informed that preparations for the establishment of e-courts and the launch of Consumer Protection App were in the final stages, enabling consumers to lodge complaints from their homes and get timely redressal.
She said that the presence of field teams had already been ensured for continuous monitoring of prices and quality across markets.
She further said that the provincial government had accelerated the consumer protection campaign, with daily price monitoring in markets, strict quality inspections and intensified actions against overcharging.
A zero-tolerance policy was being implemented against profiteering and illegal charges, under which penalties up to Rs100,000 and imprisonment up to 14 years had been proposed for offenders, she said, adding that amendments were also being introduced in the law to curb adulteration in food items more effectively.
The special assistant assured that Punjab government was fully committed not only to protect consumers but also safeguard legitimate rights of traders.
She said that the chief minister had approved a system that ensured balanced protection of interests for both traders and consumers.
Salma Butt also made it clear that failure to display price lists and omission of ingredients, price and expiry date on packaging were punishable offences and action was being taken without discrimination.
She said that district administration had been fully mobilized to ensure the availability of essential commodities and to keep prices under control.
Highlighting broader reforms, she said that Punjab government was introducing historic initiatives including the Minority Card, Kisan Card, Livestock Policy, Ramazan Package and other wide-ranging welfare measures.
She said that efforts were also being accelerated to link new businesses with technology in addition to modernizing the business environment while coordination with chambers of commerce was being strengthened to promote economic activities in line with global standards.
She said that under consumer-friendly vision, the citizens could submit applications in the offices of deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners or assistant directors (legal).
She said that strict enforcement of laws for women’s protection and eradication of harassment was also underway, along with effective implementation of regulations in vegetable and fruit markets, helmet enforcement and other civic laws.
Later, Salma Butt also responded to queries of the participants and sought their suggestions for making the consumer protection system more effective.
Representatives of chamber of commerce, traders’ community, grain markets and other relevant sectors attended the session and appreciated the government’s initiatives.