MARDAN: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary has honoured Mardan Assistant Commissioner Dr Ahmed Sher Zaman Dogar (PAS) with a certificate of appreciation and three awards for developing and successfully implementing the Digital Mandi and E-Price List projects.
Speaking to a representative of The Public Purview, Dr Dogar said the initiative was launched as a pilot project in Mardan and has been described as the province’s first digital market governance platform of its kind.
Following the successful implementation of the pilot, approval has reportedly been granted to expand the system to other districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Digital Mandi project was introduced at Mardan’s vegetable market under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Mardan Wasif Rahman. The system digitises the daily auction of fruits and vegetables and replaces traditional handwritten price lists with an electronic E-Price List.
Under the digital system, bids from wholesale buyers are recorded directly at the market. Prices for retailers and major market buyers are then determined while accounting for the prescribed retail profit margin.
The district administration has also introduced facilities for extracting market data and forecasting demand and supply. This allows officials to monitor prices and market conditions using real-time information.
Dr Dogar said the complete digital system was developed through his personal efforts without placing any additional financial burden on the government exchequer.
Another key feature is the real-time tracking of fruit and vegetable stocks available in the market. Once implemented province-wide, the system is expected to connect fruit and vegetable markets across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to a central dashboard.
The proposed central platform will allow authorities to monitor demand, supply and availability in real time and identify potential shortages, excess supply and unusual price fluctuations at an early stage.
According to Dr Dogar, this would enable provincial authorities to take timely measures in response to changing market conditions.
The Chief Secretary described the Digital Mandi initiative as a tested and practical model for transparent market governance and appreciated Dr Dogar’s efforts. He directed the relevant authorities to expand the model across the province.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology Board (KPITB) has been assigned responsibility for developing and implementing the system across other districts.
Dr Dogar said his office would remain accessible to the public and continue working to address complaints and facilitate citizens.
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