Facilitating customers : ‘Don’t ask for CNICs from sugar buyers at Ramazan Bazaars’

ACS says availability of black gram and lemons should be ensured.

LAHORE: The government will ensure availability of black gram and lemons on subsidised rates at all Ramazan bazaars and Agriculture Department fair price shops in the province. This will help redress public complaints about the shortage of the two items.

This was stated by Additional Chief Secretary Shumail Ahmad Khawaja on Wednesday. He was speaking at a meeting to review implementation of the Ramazan (subsidy) Package.

The additional chief secretary asked the DCOs and 1,756 price control magistrates to ensure monitoring of quality, price and availability of essential food items at Ramazan Bazaars. He said commission agents should not be allowed to deprive the general public from the subsidy given on items available at these facilities.

The ACS said customers should not be asked to present their computerised national identity cards (CNICs) be allowed to purchase sugar at Ramazan Bazaars. “This will discourage people from benefiting from government subsidy,” he said. He said there was no need to hassle the shoppers. The ACS also asked officials concerned to ensure separate queues at sugar stalls for men, women, senior citizens and people with disabilities.

Earlier, the meeting was told that in the last week 405 metric tonnes of sugar had been sold at Ramazan Bazaars.

It was noted that 165,000 people had eaten sehr and iftar meals at 1974 Madni Dastarkhawns across the province. Agriculture Secretary Pervaiz Ahmed Khan and Agriculture Marketing Special Secretary Farah Masood briefed the meeting about demand and supply of daily use edibles.

Information and Culture Additional Secretary Syed Tahir Raza Hamdani briefed the meeting about public complaints about quality of fruits and vegetables.

The ACS asked officials concerned to take action against wholesale vendors responsible for supplying substandard items to vendors at Ramazan Bazaars.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 17^th, 2016.