Heed the warning: ‘Those found hoarding will be severely dealt with’

Commissioner announces 20 Ramazan Bazaars for three districts in Sahiwal division

Commissioner announces 20 Ramazan Bazaars for three districts in Sahiwal division. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE

MULTAN:
The purpose of establishing Ramazan Bazaars is to provide the masses relief and essential commodities at subsidised rates, Sahiwal Commissioner Babar Hayat Tarrar said at a meeting on Wednesday. “Any shopkeeper found to be hoarding essential items or overcharging customers will be dealt with strictly.”

The meeting was held at the commissioner’s office to discuss matters pertaining to the establishment of Ramazan Bazaars and the price control mechanism.

Tarrar said the administration had decided to set up 20 Ramazan Bazaars in three districts – Sahiwal, Pakpattan and Okara. Eight Ramazan Bazaars will be set up in Sahiwal, eight in Okara and four in Pakpattan.

The commissioner told the authorities to keep a strict check on traders and shopkeepers involved in hoarding essential items and selling edibles at inflated rates. He directed district authorities to monitor the market every day and to ensure that prices are kept in check.

He stressed the need to set up cooperative societies at fruit and vegetable markets to phase out the “exploitative” role of middle men.


The commissioner also expressed his reservations on the role of market committees.

“We need to encourage them to play a positive role in ending underhand bids in markets.” He directed district authorities to formulate an effective market monitoring mechanism to deal with hoarders and black marketeers.

Participants of the meeting were told that a 10kg flour bag would be sold for Rs290.

Pakpattan Assistant Commissioner Ashfaq ur Rahman said essential items including flour, rice, ghee, dates and sugar would be sold at subsidised rates at Ramazan Bazaars. He said that they would also set up 13 fair-price shops in various areas of Pakpattan to facilitate the masses.

Okara DCO Suqrat Amanullah, Pakpattan DCO Irfan Ahmad Sindhu and Additional Commissioner attended the meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 2nd, 2016.
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