NEWS

Under the ongoing anti-adulteration crack-down as many as 12760 raids have been conducted, 124 FIRs got registered, 47 violators arrested, 288 shops sealed and a fine to the tune of rupees 10.9 million has been imposed against the violators of Punjab food ordinance and price control Act: Mian Alam Daad Lalika

BAHAWALPUR(PR)Divisional Chairman Punjab food authority Bahawalpur MNA Mian Alam Daad Lalika has said that under the ongoing anti-adulteration crack-down as many as 12760 raids have been conducted, 124 FIRs got registered, 47 violators arrested, 288 shops sealed and a fine to the tune of rupees 10.9 million has been imposed against the violators of Punjab food ordinance and price control act during the second quarter of the current year in Bahawalpur division.

"The effective and comprehensive mechanism under the operational command of Commissioner Bahawalpur Saqib Zafar has launched a stringent anti-adulteration campaign which is a practical manifestation of turning Chief Minister Punjab's vision of providing pure and high quality food stuff to the consumers into reality", the chairman further said.

He made these remarks while presiding over a divisional meeting of Punjab food authority Bahawalpur division from the office of DCO Bahawalnagar which was attended through video-links by divisional and district officers in the conference room of Commissioner Bahawalpur, here, today. The meeting was attended by Commissioner Bahawalpur Saqib Zafar, DCO Bahawalpur Dr. Ehtisham Anwer Mahaar, DCO Rahim Yar Khan, DCO Bahawalnagar, Additional Commissioner Saqib Ali Ateel, Director Public Relations Rana Ajaz Mahmood and other officers and officials of the concerned departments.

While briefing the chairman about various measures undertaken by the price control magistrates and other functionaries supervised by the 3 DCOs: Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalnagar and Bahawalpur to curb the menace of food adulteration Commissioner Bahawalpur maintained that the anti-adulteration crack-down in the second quarter has registered better results visa vise the first quarter which is reflected in terms of higher quantum of fine imposed and greater number of raids conducted against the violators in this regard. Commissioner Bahawalpur briefed that in district Bahawalpur 2946 raids were conducted, 4471 food samples collected, 58 shops sealed, 21 FIRs lodged, 41 accused arrested and a fine amounting to rupees 42 lakh and 99 thousand was imposed in district Bahawalpur.

Commissioner further said that in district Rahim Yar Khan under ongoing anti-adulteration campaign 6424 raids were conducted, 1146 food samples collected, 71 FIRs lodged, 31 accused arrested and fine to the tune of rupees 51 lakh and 59 thousand was imposed.

Similarly, under this anti-adulteration campaign in district Bahawalnagar as many as 3390 raids were conducted, 750 food samples collected, 97 shops sealed, 32 FIRs lodged,  2 accused arrested and a fine amounting to rupees 14 lakh and 68 thousand imposed, Commissioner Bahawalpur noted.

"During a targeted crack-down against butchers as many as 5466 kilogram unhygienic and substandard meat was destroyed, 23 butchers for violating Punjab food ordinance and price control act were arrested and 2 lakh and 75 thousand rupees fine was also imposed", Commissioner maintained.

Commissioner Bahawalpur further briefed the Chairman that DCO Bahawalpur's initiative to conduct medical fitness test of butchers has further ensured to provide quality meat to the consumers. This act was appreciated by both media and higher authorities. He further said that a comprehensive database of food production centers and sales points would be prepared to further regulate the inspection process of the outlets. He informed the chair that Punjab forensic science agency has started functioning in Bahawalpur which would help streamlining the chemical examination of the collected samples on scientific lines. He further said that DCO Bahawalpur initiative to provide modern equipment to check the quality of milk would go a long way to provide pure and high quality milk to the consumers.

Divisional Chairman Punjab food authority Bahawalpur MNA Mian Alam Daad Lalika sought explanation why 30 arrests were made against 75 FIRs registered in Bahawalpur division. Commissioner Saqib Zafar assured the chair that this aspect would seriously be addressed. Commissioner also briefed the chair regarding treatment of patients admitted in hospitals of Bahawalpur, Rahim yar Khan and Bahawalnagar who got sick after taking substandard and unhygienic food and DCOs and health officials took adequate measures for their treatment.

While addressing the meeting Chairman appreciated the endeavor taken by the concerned officials to curb the menace of food adulteration. However, he called upon the concerned quarters to pay more attention to check flour and ghee mills to protect the rights of consumers.

"Production units of food manufacturers should be targeted to effectively curb the supply of unhygienic and substandard food to consumers", he underlined.

He also directed to install bill-boards at prominent places for public awareness about Chief Minister Punjab's vision to protect economic rights of consumers and results of the anti-adulteration campaign in Bahawalpur division.

"Help lines should also be fully operationalize by registering all received calls and along with the actions undertaken on these complaints", he directed.

He also asked all the DCOs to inform him immediately regarding any emergency pertaining to taking unhygienic and substandard food by consumers who might get sick.

1 lakh and 50 thousand brilliant and deserving students have been provided scholarships under the Punjab Education Endowment Fund in Punjab

BAHAWALPUR(PR)As many as 1 lakh and 50 thousand brilliant and deserving students have been provided scholarships by spending 16 billion rupees fund under the Punjab Education Endowment Fund in the Punjab Province. As many as 18 thousand students been provided scholarships by spending 693 million rupees in Bahawalpur division also. This is a practical manifestation of Punjab government to invest billions of rupees to establish solid and effective educational infrastructure which would lead to a vibrant and thriving knowledge base economic structure in the Punjab province. This was stated by the representative of Punjab education endowment fund during a high-level meeting which was presided over by Commissioner Bahawalpur Saqib Zafar.

The meeting was attended by Director Public Relations Rana Ajaz Mahmood, Director Colleges Professor Dr. Mehmood-ul-Hassan, Manager Punjab education endowment fund Rana Nasir Subhani, Divisional heads of all educational institutions and other officers and officials of the concerned departments.

The meeting was briefed that government of Punjab has planned to organize seminars for public awareness about the far reaching impacts of scholarships of Punjab education endowment fund for promoting education in the province.

Manager Punjab education endowment fund Rana Nasir Subhani apprised of the meeting that Punjab Education endowment fund extends scholarships to the bright and deserving students annually which falls in 4 categories:- Middle, Metric, Intermediate, graduation and post graduation. He said that the major quantum of scholarships was earmarked for the students of less developed districts in the province. He further said that Chief Minister Punjab's vision of providing scholarships to the brilliant and deserving students is a major landmark to turn Punjab into knowledge based economy. He said that Punjab education endowment fund's effective and solid initiative has provided financial assistance especially to those students who hail from less privilege section of society.

Commissioner Bahawalpur Saqib Zafar directed director colleges and focal person Punjab education endowment fund Bahawalpur division Professor Dr. Mehmood-ul-Hassan to nominate focal persons starting right from divisional to tehsil level to effectively organize public awareness seminars. "These seminars would highlight the far reaching impacts of providing financial assistance to deserving male and female students in Bahawalpur Division", Commissioner maintained.

Chief Minister Punjab attaches special significance for promoting modern and state of the art education:Iqbal Channer

BAHAWALPUR(PR)Provincial Minister for Co-operative Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channer has said that Chief Minister Punjab attaches special significance for promoting modern and state of the art education which is a key to unlock the doors of peace and progress in the country.

He made these remarks while speaking as a chief guest in the opening ceremony of a B.Ed workshop for female students organized by Allama Iqbal Open University at the government elementary school

Minister Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channer said that modern and vibrant education is essential for establishing on egalitarian society.

"Solid and tangible socio-economic progress can be achieved by investing in educational infrastructure which is practically reflected in the Chief Minister Punjab's budgetary allocation of billions of rupees in this regard", he said.

Headmaster government elementary school Dr. Syed Ahmad Shah also spoke on the occasion.

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Dr. Ehsan Sadiq has taken a serious note of a news item regarding running of narcotics dens and brothel houses  in district Rahim Yar Khan

BAHAWALPUR/RAHIM YAR KHAN(By Our Corespondents)Regional Police Officer Bahawalpur Dr. Ehsan Sadiq has taken a serious note of a news item regarding running of narcotics dens and brothel houses in Liaqatpur, Khanpur, Pakka Laaran and its adjacent areas in district Rahim Yar Khan.

Regional Police Officer Bahawalpur has directed the DPO Rahim Yar Khan to launch an immediate crack-down to burst brothel houses and narcotics dens in these areas. He has further directed to submit a report regarding actions taking in this regard within 3 days from DPO Rahim Yar Khan.

Consumer Protection council Bahawalpur is mobilizing all available resources to protect the economic rights of consumers

BAHAWALPUR(PR)Consumer Protection council Bahawalpur is mobilizing all available resources to protect the economic rights of consumers in district Bahawalpur. This was stated by assistant director legal district consumer's protection council Bahawalpur.

Mother of Chaudhry Amjad Bashir has passed away

BAHAWALPUR(PR)Mother of District officer Co-ordination Bahawalpur Engineer Chaudhry Amjad Bashir has passed away. Her funeral prayer was offered at nursery ground business colony Rahim Yar Khan Yesterday.

The funeral prayer was attended by large number of people including high government officials, politicians and relatives.she has buried at her Ancestral graveyard.