LHC questions long queues for sugar

Court says government has failed to control prices at local markets

LAHORE:

Lahore High Court (LHC)'s Justice Shahid Jameel asked the quarters concerned under what law Ramazan Bazaars had been established to provide subsidised essentials. The LHC justice was hearing a matter about public's long queues in Ramazan Bazaars for the purpose of getting sugar.

Justice Jameel asked the law officer as to why these Ramazan Bazaars had been established and subsidised essential items were not available. He also questioned why the sugar was being given in a disrespectful manner.

The law officer told the court that separate booths of sugar and floor had been set up in Ramazan Bazaars. “And with court's order, the people are being given sugar in a respectful way and the long queues have also been stopped.”

The court had objection through which the people were being sold sugar, Justice Jameel remarked.

Setting up Ramazan Bazaars means the government had failed in controlling rates in local markets, he added. “Each store is selling sugar with two different prices. One is selling sugar for Rs80 per kg and the other at Rs110. Around 15 days have passed but the same practice will not be acceptable in the remaining 15 days of this month,” Justice Jameel remarked.

The justice stated, “It does not mean that the matter will come to an end after Ramazan will pass. It is a sword which is hanging upon the government.”

However, the court summoned the Lahore commissioner in person by today for ensuring the court over provision of sugar.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th, 2021.