ISLAMABAD: The government is likely to launch crackdown on ghee manufacturers for not passing on the impact of lower prices to local level,
Taking serious notice of no reduction in prices of edible oil/ghee in the country despite substantial variation in prices in the international market, the prime minister has directed the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CPP) to probe the matter and submit a report to the Prime Minister Office by February 3, 2023, the sources added.
These directions were issued on January 20, 2023 during a meeting on Strategic Roadmap – agriculture sector when the issue of exorbitant prices of edible oil/ ghee came under discussion.
The meeting, sources said, was informed that prices of edible oil/ghee in the international market dropped significantly but local industry has not passed on the impact in the country.
“Oil/ghee prices remain same in the country despite significant drop in international markets, therefore, the Competition Commission of Pakistan is to probe the matter and submit to the Prime Minister Office (PMO) a report (correlating movement in international prices and highlighting factors behind variance) along with set of recommendations by February 3, 2023,” the sources added.
The Ministry of National Food Security and Research is to constitute a “Committee of Experts” including relevant stakeholders to prepare policy framework required for the local production of edible oil in Pakistan.
The sources said Ministry of Industries and Production and Ministry of National Food Security and Research in coordination with the chief secretaries will prepare a report on availability of urea, diesel and seeds at the prescribed price.
Furthermore, the MNFS&R in coordination with MoI&P is to prepare and share weekly progress report on the availability of fertiliser, diesel and seeds.
The Ministry of National Food Security and Research is to share timelines for the rollout and implementation of Seed Traceability Action Plan by January 27, 2023.
According to sources, Secretaries of Finance Division, Ministry of National Food Security and Research and Power Division have been directed to finalise the financial proposal about solarisation of agri tube wells as an alternative to existing demand of farmers to allow subsidised electricity tariff under PMs Kissan Package by January 27, 2023.
Once the proposal is approved, Minister for National Food Security and Research, Tariq Bashir Cheema will take the representatives of farmers on board for its implementation.
Also Ministry of National Food Security and Research to invite potential foreign investors to deliberate and prepare a set of recommendation to enhance cotton crop production through GMO technology in Pakistan. The ministry will recommend participants’ names for establishing a committee to deliberate on policy decisions for setting an intervention price for oil seeds.
