LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has ordered a strict crackdown against hoarders.
Usman Buzdar has directed to show no tolerance to anyone who is found involved in hoarding and profiteering. The chief minister directed concerned officials to carefully observe the process of the auction in markets.
He also directed concerned authorities to ensure the provision of all items at the government’s fixed prices. Punjab government has also released a list of 41 goods that cannot be hoarded according to the ordinance.
The list includes tea, sugar, powdered milk, milk for children, edible oil, fruit, salt, potato, onion, pulses, fish, beef, mutton, eggs, spices, vegetables, kerosene oil, match sticks, coal, chemical fertilizers, poultry food, cement, cotton seeds, caustic soda, pesticides, wheat flour, face masks, N95 masks, sanitizers, surface cleaners, alcohol, and wool.
Earlier, in a bid to control hoarding and profiteering in the province, Punjab government promulgated anti-hoarding ordinance which contains the three-year sentence, summary trial, and confiscation of the hoarded items.
The ordinance has also declared hoarding as a non-bailable crime and deputy commissioners of all districts now have the power to carry out raids without search warrants.
A special magistrate will announce the verdict of a hoarding case in 30 days. An appeal against the verdict of the special magistrate can be filled within 30 days in session court, which is bound to announce its verdict in the next 30 days.
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