Ramazan Package 2018 gets approval

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting which approved the Ramazan Package 2018 to provide relief to people during the holy month.

The meeting on Friday also reviewed prices and provision of essential items during the month.

The chief minister said that a subsidy to the tune of Rs11 billion will be given to provide subsidised flour. A 20-kilogramme bag of flour will be available at Ramazan bazaars and in the open market for Rs500m while the 10 kilogrammes of flour bag will be provided at Rs250. More than 300 subsidised Ramazan bazaars will be set up across the province.

Meanwhile, 32 model bazaars will also operate as subsidised Ramazan markets in the province. As many as 2,000 dastarkhwans will be established across the province to serve free meals during Sehr and Iftar.

Shehbaz said that pulses, ghee, sugar, fruit and vegetables will be available at subsidised rates at the designated markets. Agri-fair price shops will also be set up where pulses and vegetables will be available at lesser prices.

The chief minister ordered officials to ensure that effective measures are adopted to provide essential items at subsidised rates to the people. He said that best security arrangements should be made at Ramazan Bazaars. “The provision of essential items must be ensured and no complaint of any shortage should come up.  The provision of relief to the masses is my mission and every possible step should be adopted to achieve this goal."

The prices of essential items, including fruits and vegetables, should be prominently displayed at Ramazan Bazaars and market places. “Digital price boards should be set up for the benefits of visitors,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 21^st, 2018.