Punjab govt issues ordinance against hoarding

LAHORE (92 News) – The Punjab has promulgated ‘The Punjab Prevention of Hoarding Ordinance 2020’ in a bid to control hoarding and profiteering in the province. According to the details, ordinance contains three-year sentence, summary trial and confiscation of the material for hoarding of wheat, sugar, flour, ghee, sanitizers, face masks and other essential items. Ordinance has declared hoarding as a non-bailable crime and deputy commissioners of all districts now have the power to carryout raids without search warrants. Special magistrate will announce verdict of hoarding case in 30 days. Appeal against the verdict of special magistrate can be filled within 30 days in session court, which is bound to announce its verdict in next 30 days. Punjab government has released list of 41 goods which cannot be hoarded according to the ordinance. List includes tea, sugar, powered milk, milk for children, edible oil, fruit, salt, potato, onion, pulses, fish, beef, mutton, eggs, spices, vegetables, kerosene oil, match sticks, coal, chemical fertilizers, poultry food, cement, cotton seeds, caustic soda, pesticides, wheat flour, face masks, N95 masks, sanitizers, surface cleaners, alcohol and wool. On the other hand, the province has promulgated the ‘The Punjab Prevention of Hoarding Ordinance 2020’ to stem the hoarders from looting masses during the holy month of Ramazan. Punjab Law and Parliamentary Affairs Department notified the ordinance. Governor Punjab Ch Muhammad Sarwar promulgated the Ordinance in the exercise of the powers conferred under clause (i) of Article 128 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.