Rs5 billion Ramazan Package approved

Shahbaz says 2,000 Dastarkhawans will be set up across province

LAHORE:

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Friday approved a Ramazan relief package of Rs5 billion.

“A Rs5 billion subsidy will be given on flour under the Ramazan Package,” the chief minister said while chairing a meeting at Civil Secretariat via video link.

He said a flour bag of 10 kilogrammes would be available for Rs290 at Ramazan Bazaars. In open market, he said, a 10-kilogramme flour bag would be available for Rs310 and a 20-kilogramme bag for Rs620.  Sharif said 330 Ramazan Bazaars will be set up across the province on June 3; 25 model bazaars would also serve as Ramazan Bazaars. He said 2,000 Dastarkhawans will be established across the province during the holy month.

He said Ramazan Bazaars would operate from 9am until 6pm. He said prices of sugar, ghee and chicken at Ramazan Bazaars would be Rs10 per kilogramme lower than the open market. Sharif said fair price shops would also be set up in Ramazan Bazaars offering fruits, vegetables and pulses at subsidised rates.

“Like previous years, the government has come up with a special package for Ramazan to provide relief to the common man,” he said.

The chief minister ordered that prices of all commodities, including fruits, vegetables and pulses, be prominently displayed at these bazaars as well as other outlets. He called for installing digital price boards at the bazaars.

Sharif said sufficient supply of essentials should be ensured so that the shoppers do not face any inconvenience. He said he would not tolerate any compromise on the quality of goods sold at the bazaars. He said the authorities should import commodities, if need be, to ensure that these were available at Ramazan Bazaars.

The chief minister said stringent action would be taken against the vendors fleecing customers or those found hoarding. He directed that foolproof security arrangements be made at the bazaars. He asked the DCOs concerned to closely monitor the auction at vegetables markets. He called upon provincial ministers and secretaries to visit to Ramazan Bazaars in their areas and monitor the quality, availability and prices of essential items. He said the Cabinet Committee on Price Control would monitor prices on a daily basis.

The chief minister directed the authorities concerned to make proper parking arrangements at Ramazan Bazaars.

Provincial Ministers Farrukh Javed, Chaudhry Muhammad Shafique and Ayesha Ghaus Pasha; the chief secretary; the Sargodha Division commissioner; and the Sargodha, Faisalabad and Khanewal DCOs attended the meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 7^th, 2016.