Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Mr. Shaukat Tarin presided over the meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC), held at the Finance Division, today. Federal Minister for Industries & Production Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, Provincial Chief Secretaries, Economic Advisor Finance Division, Chief Statistician PBS, MD Utility Stores Corporation, Deputy Commissioner ICT and other senior officers participated in the meeting.
Economic Adviser Finance Division apprised the NPMC on weekly SPI which increased slightly by 0.08% in the week as compared to previous week when it decreased by 0.50%. It was informed that 33 food items contributed decline in the SPI by -0.14%, whereas 18 non-food items contributed increase of 0.22%. Prices of 07 items registered decline which contributed decline in the SPI by 0.46%. During the week, prices of Tomatoes declined by 0.11%, Chillies Powder 0.26%, Eggs 0.05% and others 0.04%.
NPMC was informed that prices of 22 items remained stable and 25 items registered increase in prices which contributed increase in the SPI by 0.54%. Prices of Potatoes increased by 0.03%, Chicken 0.12%, Petrol 0.21% and others by 0.18%.
It was informed that prices of Tomatoes and Onion in the last week were at the lowest as compared to their prices three years earlier. The meeting expressed satisfaction on the decline in the prices of the essential item.
NPMC was updated on the prices of wheat flour and the meeting expressed satisfaction on the stability in the Wheat flour prices and availability of sufficient stocks of wheat in the country.
NPMC was briefed on the sugar prices and its stock position in the country and expressed concerns on the slight increase in sugar prices in various cities. The meeting was informed that the slight increase in price was due to disruption in the supply caused by rain and fog.
NPMC was also apprised on the variations in the prices of Pulses and it was informed that except the prices of Moong Pulse, there was increase in the prices of other Pulses and it was mainly due to exchange rate variations and increase in freight charges. Further, arrival of local production of Gram Pulse in near future will ease its price.
The Finance Minister expressed concerns on the increase in the prices of Pulses and enquired about production trend of Pulses in the world. He directed the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to build strategic reserves of Pulses considering the lowest prices of Pulses in the international market. He also directed Ministry of Food Security and Research and Provincial Governments to take creative measures to ensure smooth supply of pulses at fair prices.
The NPMC was briefed on the availability of essential goods at subsidized rates at the Sastaa & Sahulat Bazaars across the country. Finance Minister Mr. Shaukat Tarin lauded the efforts of the Government of the Punjab, KP, and Islamabad Administration in providing key items at discounted prices through arranging Sastaa Bazaars and also expressed satisfaction on the availability of essential items at low rates in Sastaa Bazaars in Sindh and Baluchistan. He also advised Government of Sindh and the Baluchistan to extend Sastaa Bazaars for the welfare of the general public.
In his concluding remarks, the Finance Minister underscored the efforts being made for keeping the prices of essential items in check and measures to ensure smooth supply of essential commodities throughout the country.
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