By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: Secretary Price Control and Commodities Management Department Punjab, Dr. Ehsan Bhutta, announced that under the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, a digital system will be implemented in fruit and vegetable markets across the province. The Kahna Kacha market will be developed as a model project by November this year.
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He made this announcement while addressing a meeting of the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (PAMRA) held yesterday. The meeting was attended by Additional Secretary Ms. Ramala Hassan, Director General PAMRA Tariq Basra, Director E&M Tanvir Shami, Director Agricultural Marketing Information System Ajmal, and other senior officers.
Dr. Bhutta directed that the management of market sanitation be handed over to the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC). He emphasized that outsourcing the collection of market fees would significantly boost revenue and ordered the preparation of a comprehensive plan for its execution.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring proper cleanliness, drainage systems, clean drinking water, and uninterrupted electricity supply in markets. To build institutional capacity, he directed the development of training modules for staff.
In a move to ensure greater accountability, Dr. Bhutta announced that the attendance of Market Committee secretaries during auction hours will now be monitored through geo-tagging. Strict action will be taken against Market Committees that fail to meet their annual performance targets.
All departments and authorities under the Price Control and Commodities Management Department have been instructed to maintain a centralized digital database and ensure strong interdepartmental coordination.
During the meeting, Director General PAMRA also presented a briefing on the department’s recent progress and initiatives.
