Government to set up model bazaars, agri fair price shops in 142 tehsils
Primary objective is to provide relief to common man
PHOTO: AFP
LAHORE:
For market intervention to rein in prices of essential commodities, Punjab government has decided to establish model bazaars and agriculture fair price shops in 142 tehsils of Punjab, The Express Tribune learnt on Tuesday.
Though, earlier this decision was made in a meeting presided over by Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, but the matter was deliberated in detail here in a meeting at Punjab Civil Secretariat, which was chaired by Punjab Industries and Trade Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal.
It was highlighted in the meeting that spadework for establishing model bazaars at tehsil level has been finalised as per vision of the chief minister.
Places have also been identified for setting up model bazaars at tehsils level.
Iqbal directed the officials concerned to complete registration of shops in collaboration with urban units for establishing agriculture fair price shops. Proper parking, lighting, cleanliness and security arrangements should be ensured in the model bazaars.
He underlined that the primary objective of these model bazars is to provide relief to common man. Provincial minister said more shops should be set up instead of making joy land. Model bazaars and agriculture fair price shops are big source of providing relief to common man therefore, government has decided to extend the network of fair price shops and model bazaars, he maintained.
Agriculture exhibition to start on Feb 10 in Larkana
A senior official of the Punjab Model Bazaars Management Company (PMBMC) highlighted that the company was already running 32 model bazaars in different districts across Punjab. In big district, like Lahore, there are more than one model bazaar to cater maximum number of citizens and control prices of essential commodities.
He indicated that the government has also decided to keep these model bazaars open for seven days a week to give maximum relief to masses. In several district where these model bazaars have already been established, they helped to control prices in open market too.
The company is providing free of charge electricity to vendors, free cleanliness services, daily official price list and free parking space for citizens to make this initiative a great success, he maintained.
There is room for opening new model bazaars in big cities and districts, but the only problem is the availability of space. He pointed out that there is a dire need of establishing new model bazaars in Shahdara, Samanabad and some other underprivileged neighbourhoods of Lahore.
Responding to a question, he said as decision for establishment of model bazaars at tehsil level has been made. The company has initiated process to estimate financial cost to roll out the project. It would take a couple of weeks to find out the exact cost estimates. If the government provide availability of financial resources the company would establish all these model bazaars in 8-10 month. Considering previous experience, the company would require Rs8 million to Rs15million for construction of new model bazaars.
He pointed out that the company was working in collaboration with local administration in all district for identification and allocation of land for setting up new model bazaars.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 18th, 2019.
For market intervention to rein in prices of essential commodities, Punjab government has decided to establish model bazaars and agriculture fair price shops in 142 tehsils of Punjab, The Express Tribune learnt on Tuesday.
Though, earlier this decision was made in a meeting presided over by Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, but the matter was deliberated in detail here in a meeting at Punjab Civil Secretariat, which was chaired by Punjab Industries and Trade Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal.
It was highlighted in the meeting that spadework for establishing model bazaars at tehsil level has been finalised as per vision of the chief minister.
Places have also been identified for setting up model bazaars at tehsils level.
Iqbal directed the officials concerned to complete registration of shops in collaboration with urban units for establishing agriculture fair price shops. Proper parking, lighting, cleanliness and security arrangements should be ensured in the model bazaars.
He underlined that the primary objective of these model bazars is to provide relief to common man. Provincial minister said more shops should be set up instead of making joy land. Model bazaars and agriculture fair price shops are big source of providing relief to common man therefore, government has decided to extend the network of fair price shops and model bazaars, he maintained.
Agriculture exhibition to start on Feb 10 in Larkana
A senior official of the Punjab Model Bazaars Management Company (PMBMC) highlighted that the company was already running 32 model bazaars in different districts across Punjab. In big district, like Lahore, there are more than one model bazaar to cater maximum number of citizens and control prices of essential commodities.
He indicated that the government has also decided to keep these model bazaars open for seven days a week to give maximum relief to masses. In several district where these model bazaars have already been established, they helped to control prices in open market too.
The company is providing free of charge electricity to vendors, free cleanliness services, daily official price list and free parking space for citizens to make this initiative a great success, he maintained.
There is room for opening new model bazaars in big cities and districts, but the only problem is the availability of space. He pointed out that there is a dire need of establishing new model bazaars in Shahdara, Samanabad and some other underprivileged neighbourhoods of Lahore.
Responding to a question, he said as decision for establishment of model bazaars at tehsil level has been made. The company has initiated process to estimate financial cost to roll out the project. It would take a couple of weeks to find out the exact cost estimates. If the government provide availability of financial resources the company would establish all these model bazaars in 8-10 month. Considering previous experience, the company would require Rs8 million to Rs15million for construction of new model bazaars.
He pointed out that the company was working in collaboration with local administration in all district for identification and allocation of land for setting up new model bazaars.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 18th, 2019.