Punjab Begins Early Price Monitoring Ahead of Ramazan

Punjab has started preparations for early monitoring of essential commodity prices and supplies ahead of Ramazan, with authorities directed to begin the process from October.

Punjab Chief Minister’s Special Assistant for Food Safety and Consumer Protection Salma Butt issued the instructions while chairing a performance review meeting of the PERA Force and price control magistrates at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office.

Officials were asked to closely monitor the supply, demand, available stocks, and prices of essential food items before the start of the holy month.

The meeting also discussed measures to strengthen price control, improve enforcement, and ensure a steady supply of essential commodities in the district.

Focus on Cold Storage and Food Supplies

Salma Butt directed officials to increase cold storage capacity so that sufficient stocks of important commodities could be maintained. These include apples, dates, gram, bananas, and other food items commonly in demand during Ramazan.

The district food controller also briefed the meeting about available wheat and flour stocks, along with the operational status of local flour mills.

Digital System for Price Monitoring

Authorities were informed that a new digital application has been introduced to improve the monitoring of market prices and enforcement activities.

Butt directed officials to upload inspection and enforcement information to the digital system promptly. She also instructed them to ensure compliance with officially notified price lists and take action where violations are found.

The early measures are aimed at improving market monitoring and maintaining the availability of essential commodities as demand increases during Ramazan.