171 Sahulat bazaars set up across Punjab

Chief secretary says Tiger Force will help keep check on prices of essentials

LAHORE:

The Punjab government has made functional 171 Sahulat bazaars across the province including the provincial metropolis to sell flour and other essential items at government’s notified rates.

The geo-tagging of these bazaars has also been completed in 25 districts.

The chief secretary has also directed Additional Chief Secretary (LG) Tahir Khursheed to immediately take steps for extending this facility to the whole of the province and special secretary (LG) has been deputed as focal person for this purpose.

This was briefed during a meeting chaired by the Punjab Chief Secretary Jawad Rafique Malik at his office. Those among present were administrative secretaries of relevant departments including industries, agriculture, and food, Lahore commissioner, and additional IG Special Branch. The divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners participated in the meeting through video link.

Speaking at the meeting, the CS said that the establishment of Sahulat bazaars was aimed to provide maximum relief to the common man. He said the chief minister would take reports on price control on a daily basis. He directed that the number of Sahulat bazaars in Lahore and other major cities is increased, besides ensuring the availability of flour and other eatables at discounted rates there. He said a report about the sale of essential commodities, especially flour and sugar, in Sahulat bazaars be sent daily.

The CS directed that the services of Tiger Force be used for price control measures by assigning them the responsibility of checking the rate lists and prices at the shops and reporting violations to the administration. He also asked the officers to keep a strict check on the prices, demand, and supply of items in the open market as well and increase the number of inspections.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 20^th, 2020.