Finance Minister Shaukat Tareen directed to reduce the gap between wholesale and retail prices of essential commodities.
A meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee chaired by Shaukat Tareen was held in Islamabad to review the prices of wheat, flour, sugar, ghee, eggs and vegetables.
The meeting was briefed on the weekly inflation situation and it was informed that commodity prices declined by 0.40% last week.
It was informed in the briefing that prices of 13 items declined, prices of 26 items remained stable and prices of tomatoes, onions, sugar, potatoes and poultry declined.
The Finance Minister directed that the scope of cheap bazaars and convenience bazaars should be extended to more cities.
He further said that the supply chain of goods from farmers to consumers should be reviewed and the gap between wholesale and retail prices of goods should be reduced.
Shaukat Tareen also said that the provincial administration should formulate a strict plan to monitor the prices of goods, supply of goods for Eid shopping and checking of prices.
The participants of the meeting were apprised of the steps taken by the representatives of the provincial governments to provide affordable necessities during Ramadan.
MD Utility Stores gave a briefing and said that cheaper items are being provided to the public at the utility stores as compared to the market.
On this, the Finance Minister said that the people will benefit from the mobile utility stores in Corona.
Shaukat Tareen has directed the provincial governments to ensure the availability of wheat and sugar.
