LAKKI MARWAT: The district administration will set up five price monitoring desks in all the four tehsils of Lakki Marwat to keep a check on prices of commodities and provide citizens with maximum relief during Ramazan.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting held at the District Headquarters Complex, Tajazai, on Tuesday with deputy commissioner Zeeshan Abdullah in the chair.

Additional assistant commissioners Mohammad Arif and Gohar Ali Khan, district food controller Khan Zaman, heads of agriculture, social welfare, livestock, local government and excise and taxation departments, officials of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety and Halal Food Authority and tehsil municipal administrations and traders` representatives were in attendance.

Prices of essential commodi-ties and food items were reviewed and fixed at the meeting, which also formed the price monitoring teamsheadedby additionalassistant commissioners to ensure adherence to the official price list by traders during the fasting month.

On the occasion, DC Abdullah said that the establishment of monitoring desks would help implement the official rate list in letter and spirit and address public complaints about price hike and hoarding.He directed the relevant authorities to ensure availability of quality food items, especially fruits, vegetables and milk, in markets and initiate action against profiteers and hoarders.

The deputy commissioner also issued instructions with regardto garbage disposal and improved hygiene conditions, traffic control and crowd management, and engaging public representatives and traders in provision of maximum relief to citizens.

He said that his administration would also arrange Ramazan Dastarkhawns with the support of philanthropist organisations to feed needy people during the fasting month.

In Bannu, the district administration fixed prices of milk and dairy products in consultationwith the representatives of milkmen associations for Ramazan.

A meeting chaired by additional deputy commissioner Aminullah Khan discussed the prices of milk and dairy products.

Food department officials, representatives of Bannu and Punjab milkmen associations were also in attendance.

Mr Aminullah said milkmen would face stern action if they were found violating the official rate list.