Lahore:
The chief minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, ordered strict measures against the persons involved in the illegal storage of wheat after a period of grace of three days for all the actors declare their actions.
She presided over a meeting to resolve the question of the hoard of wheat following the situation of the current floods in the province.
She has published a directive to initiate legal action against those who do not comply after the deadline for three days.
The chief minister agreed that measures should not be taken against those who honestly declare their wheat stocks.
It highlighted the need for precise identification and declaration of wheat stocks in the province.
The chief minister said that those who were trying to exploit the flood crisis would not be demonstrated.
She pointed out that certain elements were trying to create an artificial shortage of wheat, which would in no case be tolerated.
She stressed that the government must demonstrate its brief to protect the public interest and ensure the stability of the wheat and flour markets.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz ordered the Punjab the application and the regulatory authority (PERA) to carry out continuous inspections and to enforce laws throughout the province.
It ordered the authority to ensure that government prices lists are evident in all retail points and take severe measures against offenders.
She ordered immediate corrective and disciplinary measures on the loss of wheat stocks in Khanewal due to the floods,
The Director General of the Food Department was withdrawn from his duties for having omitted to transport wheat in a safe place over time, while the Khanewal district food controller as well as all local staff were suspended from the service.
The chief minister reiterated that all the available resources should be used to identify illegal wheat holes as well as the launch of a repression against them as soon as possible.
She stressed that measures had to be taken to maintain stable prices of wheat and flour throughout the province.
Meanwhile, chief minister Maryam Nawaz ordered the competent authorities to provide tents with flood victims to protect them from possible rains in the affected areas.
The distribution of tents and other essential goods to the victims of flooding in various districts is underway, the chief minister noted that 2,500 tents had been sent to Jalalpur, 2,500 others were sent to the flood victims of Rahim Yar Khan and 1000 had been sent to Rajanpur.
Rahim Yar Khan authorities have evacuated 7,000 people to protect them from potential floods.
The chief minister was informed that the evacuation operation of the areas affected by the floods had been completed with the help of 24 boats.
Officials said 12 flood rescue camps had been created in the district, where measures had been taken to ensure cleanliness and fumigation to prevent infectious diseases. The wheel clinics are also deployed near the flood rescue camps.
