Subsidy: 12 Ramazan bazaars to be set up in Bahawalpur

Bazaars will be functional from June 1

BAHAWALPUR: As many as 12 Ramazan bazaars will be established throughout the Bahawalpur district for the provision of food products at subsidised rates to consumers.

A meeting in this regard was held at DCO’s office on Wednesday. DCO Dr Ehtasham Anwar reviewed arrangements for setting up the bazaars.

Additional District Collector Imrana Ajmal, Bahawalpur Waste Management Company Managing Director Muhammad Chaudhry and other officials were also present.

The DCO directed the officials to ensure that Ramazan bazaars were functional from June 1. “Price lists should be displayed at prominent locations at the bazaars for the convenience of customers. Price control magistrates should monitor the bazaars. It should be ensured that customers are provided all facilities,” he said.

He said that the Ramazan bazaars should be made attractive and clean. “The necessary facilities should be available at the bazaars. Adequate security arrangements should also be ensured. Police and volunteers should be posted at the bazaars,” the DCO said.

He said that at each Ramazan bazaar, a fruit and vegetable fair price shop should also be established. “In Ramazan bazaars, separate counters should be established for women and senior citizens. Availability of an ambulance, medicine along with doctors and paramedical staff should also be ensured,” he said.

He said that women police personnel should also be deployed at the bazaars. “Close circuit cameras should be installed at all Ramazan bazaars,” he said. The DCO said that a district complaints cell had been established for addressing the complaints about prices of products. “It will be monitored by an additional district collector. On the tehsil level, the assistant commissioners will monitor the complaint cell,” he said.

The DCO said that quality meat should be sold at the bazaars. “Steps should be taken to ensure that all the products are kept in a clean and hygienic atmosphere. The Bahawalpur Waste Management Company should perform its responsibilities in this regard,” he said.

He said that all relevant officials and staff had been assigned duties regarding Ramazan Bazaars.

Agriculture Executive Officer Tanveer Ahmad told the meeting that three each Ramazan bazaars would be established in Bahawalpur City Tehsil, Ahmadpur East and Yazman tehsil; two in Hasilpur and one in Khairpur Tamewali tehsil.

“In each Ramazan Bazaar, the Agriculture Department will establish a fair price shop where vegetables, fruits and pulses will be sold at wholesale prices,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 19^th, 2016.