LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to activate an online portal for the monitoring of the supply chain of fertilisers, a statement said on Saturday.

The decision was taken at a meeting, jointly chaired by Punjab chief secretary Kamran Ali Afzal and Federal Industries and Production secretary Jawwad Rafique Malik at the Civil Secretariat.

The Punjab chief secretary said the officials would monitor fertiliser supplies from the companies to dealers through this portal.

It would also help obtain information about the stocks available in each district, he said and directed the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) chairman to immediately give all divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners access to the portal.

Afzal directed the field officers to ensure display of fertiliser prices at retail outlets. He also ordered to seal shops of profiteers and keep a check on the movement of fertiliser in the bordering districts.

Jawwad Rafique Malik directed the commissioners and deputy commissioners to come out in the field to ensure fertiliser availability at the rates fixed by the government.

The urea sale at a price higher than Rs1,768/bag should not be allowed in any case, he added.

According to the report of the Special Branch, the crackdown on hoarders has helped bring down the prices of fertilisers.