LAHORE   -   Punjab Chief Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal has directed the Food Department to launch a special anti-adulteration campaign in the province to ensure quality, purity and high standards in the food industry. He issued this directive while presiding over a meeting at the Civil Secretariat here on Saturday. The meeting reviewed prices of essential commodities, availability of urea fertilizer, measures against smuggling and illegal weigh stations involved in purchase of sugarcane. He directed the Food Department secretary to personally supervise the special drive, adding that under the new initiatives the government would establish points for checking milk at the entry points of cities besides providing a facility of free testing of milk to the public at the divisional headquarters. He said that the mobile food laboratories and bike squads would also be set up to check the food industry. The chief secretary directed all the deputy commissioners to closely monitor prices and availability of essential commodities. He said that the sale of sugar above the retail price of Rs90 per kg was not allowed at all, adding that those fleecing consumers by creating artificial price-hike would be dealt with an iron hand. The chief secretary directed the officers to continue measures for prevention of smuggling of fertilizers and wheat, and expedite the process of registration of grocery stores under the Ehsaas Ration Programme. He also issued instructions regarding timely payments to growers by sugar mills and action against the middlemen. The divisional commissioners gave detailed briefing to the meeting virtually. 

The secretaries of departments concerned including food, industries, agriculture, additional special branch IG and officers concerned attended the meeting. The deputy commissioners participated in the meeting through video link.