One of the most significant actions performed by the Government of Punjab protection of the citizens against the price manipulation and unfair trading is the Punjab Price Control of Essential Commodities Act 2024. The law directly affects the life of the ordinary citizens since this law is used to control the pricing and availability of basic products such as food items, medicines, fuel among other basic requirements. In-depth knowledge of this Act is important to those candidates who have to take the PPSC exam because examiners usually challenge knowledge of the new and related legislation by challenging it in the form of an MCQ.
Importance of Punjab Price Control of Essential Commodities Act 2024
In enacting the Punjab Price Control of Essential commodities Act 2024, the poor pricing and affordability of essential commodities were taken into consideration. Artificial shortages, hoarding as well as profiteering were common complaint areas before this law. These were practices that posed tremendous issues to the populace, particularly people of low-income origins. Through this Act, the government has sought to establish a balance between market supply and consumer demands and it has also maintained tight controls on traders and businesses who engage in unfair business practices.
Key Provisions of the Act
This is under the Punjab Price Control of Essential Commodities Act 2024 which places the power to impose a maximum retail price on essential commodities upon the government. It also gives the market control capabilities to the intelligence in charge of the market through the monitoring to make sure that the traders abide by the prices projected. Violators who use one of their tricks to take advantage of consumers, overpricing or hoarding, are subject to heavy penalties, such as monetary fines and jailing. These are not only the strategies that are protecting the rights of the consumers, but also the ones that stabilize the market through the seamless supply.
Relevance for PPSC Exams
Punjab Price Control of Essential Commodities Act 2024 forms an immensely relevant law to competitions of aspirants who have appeared in competitive exams. Since this Act is a new legislation it is an appealing subject to examiners, particularly under the questions on General Knowledge, Current Affairs and Law part. Becoming familiar with its provisions, fines, and administrative authority mechanisms could assist a candidate in more correctly tackling MCQs, and also, in providing easier discussions at an interview that may require a practical understanding of this law.

1. The Punjab Price Control of Essential Commodities Act 2024 also goes by the name:
- a) Act IX of 2024
- b) Act VI of 2024
- c) Act VII of 2024
- d) Act VIII of 2024
This law is formally Act VII of 2024. It was enacted with the Punjab assembly to control the essential items. It is also geared towards keeping citizens against overpricing and hoarding.
2. The principal goal of this Act is to:
- a) Promote exports
- b) regulate foreign investment.
- c) Subsidize the essential commodities.
- d) Increase taxation
The Act secures fair sale of goods such as food, fuel as well as medicine. It does not allow shortages to be exploited by the traders. Consumer protection and market stability is of great essence.
3. and the notifying bodies of the necessary commodities in this Act are:
- a) National Assembly
- b) Provincial Assembly
- c) Government of Punjab
- d) Local Councils
Government of Punjab can declare and notification of commodities as essential. These are commonly simple products that are required in everyday life. Publications are made of notifications.
4. This Act permits appointment of Price Control Magistrates by:
- a) Federal Government
- b) District Councils
- c) Provincial Government
- d) Judiciary directly
Magistrates are appointed to investigate wrongdoing in the market by the Provincial Government. They are allowed to inspect and even convict criminals with fines or discussions of imprisonment. They play the key role of enforcement.
5. The Act aims to prevent:
- a) Foreign trade
- b) Wage increases
- c) Hoarding and profiteering
- d) Political disputes
Inflation has two significant causes of hoarding and profiteering. This is the issue that is covered in this Act. The Act regulates them thereby making the supply of goods to run smoothly.
6. It is under this Act that overcharging of essential commodities is touched:
- a) Civil wrong only
- b) Normal business
- c) An offence
- d) Authorized on emergency occasions.
It is an offence to sell products at prices that are higher than those indicated by the government. The offenders might be fined, reimbursement or imprisoned together. It is realized as a criminal infraction.
7. Which are the powers of inspection with the Act?
- a) Local Shopkeepers
- b) Police only
- c) Price Control Magistrate/Inspector
- d) Court Clerk
Price Control Magistrates and Inspectors have the power to make inspections. They inspect shops, warehouses and market entries. This is their job to see that they comply with price lists.
8. Over charging will be penalized by:
- a) Reward and bonus
- b) Government subsidy
- c) Fine or imprisonment
- d) Business promotion
Traders who are caught over charging may be fined or put in jail. In extreme cases, either punishment can be used. This will have harsh deterrence.
9. The Act also covers just allocation of the commodities to:
- a) Factories only
- b) Politicians only
- c) General public
- d) Exporters
The Act is created to safeguard the reading masses. Affordable everyday products ought to be affordable to consumers. None of the resources should be monopolized by a group.
10. he government can use the Act to:
- a) Reduce population
- b) Change education laws
- c) Put a ceiling on the prices of basic commodities.
- d) Ban technology imports
The Punjab Government is able to fix officially maximum retail prices. This acts to deter black marketing. It provides consistency amongst districts.
11. Where a trader refuses to sell at the price quoted it is:
- a) Encouraged
- b) An offence
- c) A lawful act
- d) A civil contract
It is against the law to ignore selling goods at the official prices. This kind of rejection will result in penalties according to the Act. Traders are bound to comply.
12. Who will issue orders to moderate supply of commodities?
- a) Prime Minister
- b) Federal Board of Revenue
- c) Provincial Government
- d) Police Inspector
The Provincial Government is able to give directions. Such instructions guarantee an appropriate supply, management of distribution, and eliminate artificial shortage.
13. Hoarding under the Act means:
- a) Selling openly
- b) Hooping up commodities with the view to creating artificial scarcity.
- c) Selling at discount
- d) Government subsidy
There is the explanation of hoarding as traders carry huge stock secretly. The goal will be to decrease market supply. This increases the cost, which hurts the consumers.
14. A trader convicted under this Act can be fined:
- a) Awards
- b) Promotion
- c) Fine, imprisonment or cancellation of license.
- d) Nothing
There is a risk that the traders who are guilty will lose their license. They can also be fined or jailed. Violations are discouraged by imposing tough punishment.
15. Which part of the Act is concerned with penalties?
- a) Section 2
- b) Section 4
- c) Section 12
- d) Section 1
There are penalties which are clearly stated in section 12. It contains the information about fines on overpricing, hoarding and black marketing.
16. In: may be appealed to on price control order in respect of an order of Price Control Magistrate.
- a) Local Union Council
- b) Provincial Assembly
- c) Court of Sessions
- d) Federal Ministry
In case of a disagreement between a trader and the decision made by the Magistrate, then he or she appeals in Sessions Court. This will create a just legal redress.
17. What are the most important commodities?
- a) Luxury cars
- b) Smartphones
- c) Food, drugs, fuel, things of daily use.
- d) Jewelry
The commodities necessary to survive are ones that constitute essential commodities. This normally consists of food, medication and fuel. They are informed about it by the government.
18. Price control is aimed at the assurance of:
- a) Profits for traders
- b) Affordability for public
- c) Inflation increase
- d) Export growth
The law secures the people through maintaining cost efficiency of goods. Traders are not able to take advantage of deficits. It strikes a balance between forces in the market and the welfare of the consumer.
19. Any charge more than that which should be charged in accordance with this Act as to any single item:
- a) Allowed
- b) Encouraged
- c) Punishable offence
- d) Ignored
It extends the law even aids one misdemeanour as well. Such strictness is the source of market discipline. Consumers remain protected.
20. Inspectors are entitled by the Act to:
- a) Close schools
- b) Conduct elections
- c) Peruse records, stores and warehouses.
- d) Make laws
Inspectors make sure that shops have price lists. Checking of stock and sales records is also done. Violations are sued.
21. The Act implemented in Punjab during the following year:
- a) 2023
- b) 2024
- c) 2022
- d) 2021
This Act came into effect in 2024 officially. The Punjab Assembly enacted it as an Act 7 which is Act VII of 2024. It offers a law to curb profiteering and hoarding.
22. Also breach of this Act can result in:
- a) Government rewards
- b) Subsidy offers
- c) Suspension of license or closing down of premises.
- d) Promotion in trade
Traders who go against this Act can find their trade license revoked. The police can also close their business premises. This gives this strict enforcement.
23. The Act is enhanced by the role of:
- a) Private companies
- b) Political parties
- c) District Administration Magistrates.
- d) Sports Boards
Price Control Magistrates and district officers are at the heart of enforcement. They also track stores and impose recommended prices. They are relevant on the ground due to the role they play.
24. And which is the overall making of enforcing this Act?
- a) Federal Cabinet
- b) Punjab Assembly only
- c) Government of Punjab
- d) UN Agencies
Punjab Government regulates general enforcement. It alerts critical commodities, prices and controls supply.
25. The Price Control Committees help in:
- a) Promoting exports
- b) Increasing profits
- c) keeping an eye on prices at the district level.
- d) Changing tax laws
District level committees keep an eye on local markets. They verify price lists and indicate abnormalities. Their work justifies Magistrates.
26. The Act helps to reduce:
- a) Fair trade
- b) Consumer rights
- c) Inflationary expropriation.
- d) Imports
Through profiteering control, the Act helps to avoid artificial price increases. This eliminates inflationary exploitation of the citizens. It promotes fair pricing.
27. Essential Commmodity Pricing is presented by:
- a) Newspapers only
- b) Social media only
- c) Government statements.
- d) Private TV ads
Publication Prices published through formal notification. Such notifications are transparent and clear. They must be followed by citizens, and merchants.
28. What is the section which defines essential commodities?
- a) Section 5
- b) Section 2
- c) Section 10
- d) Section 12
There are definitions in section 2. It spells out such terminologies as necessities, also called commodities, overcharging, and hoarding. Up to this point lies interpretation.
29. repeat offence punishable as:
- a) No action
- b) Government help
- c) Fine and wider imprisonment.
- d) Only a warning
Repeat killers are heavily awarded. The legislation permits greater fines and extended incarceration of repeat offenders.
30. Price Control Magistrates control equal amount of powers:
- a) Police constable
- b) Revenue officer
- c) Judicial Magistrate
- d) Ordinary citizen
Price Control Magistrates have judicial powers. They are able to listen to cases, issue fines and make verdicts. Their edicts are legal.
31. The Act limits activities of the business that result in the creation of:
- a) Discounts
- b) Artificial shortage
- c) Employment
- d) Competition
Breneckers are not able to hoard to bring about artificial scarcities. This brings about unfair prices brought about by such uncertainties. This Act is against such practices.
32. Traders are bound to display:
- a) Bank accounts
- b) Political posters
- c) lists of prices of basic commodities.
- d) Personal photos
It is compulsory to display official price lists. These should be visible on to the shops. This ensures transparency.
33. In case a trader is identified to be hoarding, it may be stock:
- a) Destroyed
- b) Exported
- c) Seized by government
- d) Left untouched
Government is given authority to confiscate hoarded inchakees. The distribution of this stock is then fairly done. It is to stabilize supply.
34. The Act benefits mainly:
- a) Traders
- b) Exporters
- c) Consumers
- d) Politicians
its fundamental aim is consumer protection. It aims at providing the citizens with fundamental needs at reasonable prices. The immediate beneficiaries are the consumers.
35. The power to fix prices falls with:
- a) Local shopkeepers
- b) Government of Punjab
- c) Federal Cabinet
- d) Judiciary
Only the Punjab Government is able to correct maximum prices. This is legal and authoritative power. Sellers have to sell at such prices.
36. The Act can be enforced in:
- a) Only villages
- b) Only Lahore
- c) All of Punjab province
- d) Only cities
This Act concerns all of Punjab province. It addresses the rural as well as the urban regions. It is enforced at a provincial scale.
37. The Act discourages:
- a) Fair competition
- b) Black marketing
- c) Public welfare
- d) Low pricing
Black marketing leads to the scarcity and price fixing. Any black marketing is directly discouraged and made illegal under this law.
38. More hoarding punishment may include:
- a) Business award
- b) Nothing
- c) Seal of premises and fine.
An explanation may be defected by traders found hoarding. Heavy fines can also be levied. Serious cases are served with jail sentences.
39. The Act plays a role in:
- a) Political reforms
- b) Market stabilization
- c) Sports development
- d) Cultural promotion
With controlled profiteering, the markets will not go chaotic. Risk in variation of price is minimized. This is an advantage to the consumers and traders.
40. Updates to essential commodities list may be made by:
- a) Traders
- b) Consumers
- c) Punjab Government
- d) Courts only
Additions and Removals Items may be added, or removed by the Punjab Government. The list varies according to the needs of the people. Common inclusions include fuel, medicine and food.
41. The Act applies to:
- a) Only exporters
- b) Importers only
- c) Every trader of commodities of necessity.
- d) Industrialists only
All traders who sell necessities have to obey this statute. No one is exempt. Small shopkeepers as well as small are chained.
42. Transparency in the Act is achieved by:
- a) Hidden deals
- b) Verbal orders
- c) Written notifications
- d) Secret contracts
Government issues official written notifications. These are price fixing and list notification plugs. Openness solves perplexity.
43. The Act helps to cope with a shortage brought about by:
- a) Technology gaps
- b) black marketing and hoarding.
- c) Population growth
- d) Natural disasters only
Hoarding or profiteering shortages are covered. This eliminates fake scarcity. The aim is to protect markets.
44. The Price Control Magistrates may impose:
- a) Subsidies
- b) Discounts
- c) Fines and punishments
- d) Promotions
Magistrates are able to give penalties. They can impose fines and imprison criminals. This ensures swift justice.
45. The government is empowered to check by the Act:
- a) Personal businesses
- b) inventory and reasonable prices.
- c) Social activities
- d) Industrial loans
Stock levels are checked constantly. A trader has to adhere to the stock and price regulations. This comes as a guaranty of equitable accessibility.
46. The law deters the traders not to:
- a) Selling fairly
- b) Unreasonable profits.
- c) Following law
- d) Serving customers
Traders are not allowed to profiteer. Too much money at the disadvantage of consumers. The law ensures fair margins.
47. Section 1 of the Act deals with:
- a) Penalties
- b) Appeals
- c) Short title, extent and commencement.
- d) Definitions
Preliminary details are explained in section 1. It refers to the title of the Act, area of its application and date of its enforceability.
48. The Act helps maintain:
- a) Political unity
- b) Economic stability
- c) Entertainment
- d) Military power
The prices are constant so is the economy. There is improved trust by the population in markets. This increases stability.
49. Who is the body to seize goods under hoarding suspect?
- a) Shopkeeper
- b) Trader Union
- c): Price Control Inspector/Magistrate.
- d) Consumer only
Goods can be seized by the Inspectors and Magistrates. They are hoarding or overpricing report doers. This stops black marketing.
50. This Act guarantees the safety of citizens of Punjab against:
- a) Low prices
- b) Fair trade
- c) Profiteering of the basic commodities.
- d) Industrial taxes
The Act aids against the exploitation in necessities. Citizens have access to low cost food, fuel and medicine. It protects the interest of the people.
Conclusion
Simply put, the Punjab Price Control of Essential Commodities Act 2024 protects the community against being exploited and at the same time upholds fair trade. Students and those seeking employment need to learn this Act because of the exams and also because of how the policies issued by the government impact the lives of the citizens directly.

















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