Ramazan preparations: Towns begin setting up bazaars and dastarkhwans

District Coordination Officer tells officials to set up Bazaars by July 25.

LAHORE:

The nine town municipal administrations (TMA) are preparing to set up special markets selling subsidised food items and free iftar centres ahead of Ramazan.

The district coordination officer (DCO) has directed town officials to set up 17 Ramazan Bazaars and 47 Iftar Dastarkhwans and to ensure that they function smoothly during the holy month.

They are to be assisted by workers of the city district government and revenue officials.

The towns have been set a deadline of July 25 to establish the Ramazan Bazaars next to where Sunday Bazaars are held (see map for locations). The markets will sell subsidised flour and sugar. Previous years have seen large crowds at the markets and several controversies over pricing and availability. Though this year’s subsidy is lower, town officials still expect the markets to be popular.

The towns will also be responsible for monitoring food prices and hygiene. Special teams will be set up to conduct raids to check food quality.

Sixty seven magistrates will monitor prices at the Ramazan Bazaars and other markets.

“It will be hectic but we have to perform,” said Amin Akbar Chopra, senior admin officer with the DCO’s office. “We will visit all the bazaars and if there is any overcharging or low quality products for sale, the official will be responsible for that.”

For the dastarkhwans, the TMAs have rented marriage halls, government offices and hospitals. And in several areas, they will be held at mosques, with the mosque administrations and locals chipping in to cover the costs.

Shahzad Qureshi, the Aziz Bhatti Town officer (regulation), said that the towns would welcome private donations if someone came forward and expressed an interest to help out, but they would not solicit funds like in previous years.

“Ramazan is a tough month for us,” Qureshi said. “But the same thing happens every year so we’re used to it. We will do our best to facilitate the public during the holy month.”

Land auction

The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has raised Rs82.5 million through the sale of nine plots at an auction at the LDA Community Centre in New Muslim Town on Tuesday.

Plot 58-C in Gujjarpura was sold for the highest bid, at Rs233,000 per marla, slightly above the reserve price of Rs230,000 per marla. Another major sale was of a 13-kanal plot in Johar Town of Rs57.7 million.

Some other plots were also sold at higher than expected prices, while the sale of plots that did not receive good offers was put off.



Published in The Express Tribune, July 20^th, 2011.