Subsidy access: Arrangements at Ramazan Bazaars reviewed

Ensure availabity of sugar, officials concerned told

LAHORE: The Cabinet Committee on Ramazan Package met at Civil Secretariat on Saturday to review supply and availability of essential items at the bazaars.

Food Minister Bilal Yasin, Industries Secretary Muhammad Shafiq, Additional Chief Secretary Shumail Ahmad Khwaja, Chief Minister Inspection Team (CMIT) Chairman Irfan Ali, Food Secretary Pervaiz Ahmad Khan, Information and Culture Secretary Raja Jahangir Anwar, CMIT Special Secretary Fazal Abbas and DCO Usman Yousaf attended the meeting.

Bilal Yasin said Ramazan Bazaars across the province had proved a success story with regard to providing relief to citizens. He said a Rs5 billion subsidy had been announced by the provincial government so that shoppers at Ramazan Bazaars could buy essential commodities at affordable rates. He urged citizens to benefit from the package.

The minister directed the authorities concerned to make sure that all arrangements were in place at the bazaars.

Muhammad Shafiq stressed the need for efforts to control prices at the bazaars and open market.

Shumail Ahmad Khwaja directed special price control magistrates to make sure that consumers were offered sugar and flour on subsidised rates, without any discrimination. He said mismanagement in this regard would not be tolerated.

Taking notice of some complaints in this regard in Samundri and Gujrat, he ordered the authorities to take immediate steps to address consumers’ problems.

The information and culture secretary apprised the meeting of measures taken by the Directorate General Public Relations to keep the common man aware of the steps taken by the government to provide them relief.

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