By Amjad Yousaf Zai
ATTOCK: Member district monitoring committee and former provincial Minister Jahangir Khanzada on Wednesday urged the government officials to ensure better public service delivery so that masses should be benefited from the fruits of the various public welfare oriented projects launched by the government. He was presiding over a meeting of the district administration in connection to public service delivery at the committee room Attock on Wednesday. Deputy commissioner Attock Rao Atif Raza, Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue Waqas Aslam Marth, Additional Deputy Commissioner General Adnan Anjum Raja, assistant commissioner city Shahgufta Jabeen, PML President Hazro chapter Malik Ansar Ahmed, Meer Naveed, Coordinator District Monitoring Committee Chairman and Member Provincial Assembly Sher Ali Khan besides official of local administration, health and education department were also present on this occasion. Mr Khanzada was of the view that provincial government is working on projects with far-reaching results for the welfare of the people according to the vision of Chief Minister Maryium Nawaz. He said that the Punjab government is working on many projects for the development of Attock, the fruits of which will benefit the people here. On this occasion, he urged strict action against illegal profiteering mafia across the district who are indulged in recurrent overcharging practices and stressed the need for stringent action against offenders. “Habitual criminals must be sent behind bars,” he stated, signaling a zero tolerance policy against price manipulation. He directed concerned officers to strictly implement the new rates of ‘Roti’ and ‘Naan’ at any cost. The concerned officers should register FIRs against Naanbais on violation of Punjab government notification in which Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz fixed the rate of 100 gram ‘Roti’ at Rs16 against Rs20 and a ‘Naan’ at Rs20 against Rs25.
Later he visited various bazaars and markets of Attock to ensure availability of rotti and naan at newly notified reduced rated. On this occasion, he directed that Price Control magistrates should discharge their responsibilities in an efficient manner for maintaining the quality of edible items at fixed rates. He directed that the prices of essential items, fruits, vegetables and pulses should be displayed prominently in the bazaars and markets. Talking to newsmen on this occasion, he said that the weight of roti and naan must also meet official standards, ensuring fair value for consumers. While highlighting recent government efforts to reduce food costs, he said that the historic decrease in flour prices, which he claimed should reflect directly in the retail price of bread products. “The price of a 20 kg bag of flour has been reduced by Rs500,” he said, “As part of the ongoing campaign, price lists will be prominently displayed in all markets to inform and protect consumers”, he added. Responding a question, he said that a joint investigation team comprising officials of health and Police would be formed to examine the facts that why body of a native of Nartoppa village who was stabbed to death kept un attended at the tehsil headquarters hospital Hazro for hours. He said that strict departmental action would be taken against the duty medical officer (DMO), if he found guilty of misconduct and absence from place of duty.
