Officials focus on Ramazan package
PHOTO: FILE
District administration and local government officials are continuing preparations to set up concessional markets across Punjab in Ramazan despite political changes in the province.
However, the deputy commissioners of several districts have reportedly contacted the finance and industries departments to ensure the payment of subsidy amid the prevailing uncertainty. Sources in various departments said official work on several schemes had halted as changes in the cabinet were likely to affect the planned government activities.
The plan to set up the special markets involves a subsidy of Rs8 billion through 319 Ramazan bazaars in all districts of the province. However, no subsidy on vegetables and fruits has been offered. The provincial cabinet has already approved the setting up of Ramazan bazaars.
While preparations have been started for setting up the bazaars across the province, the deputy commissioners appear to be worried about the payment of subsidies in the prevailing circumstances. The federal and provincial governments have announced subsidy on 13 items, including pulses, rice, ghee, flour and sugar during the month of Ramazan.
The provincial government has also announced that fruits and vegetables would be available at controlled rates in shops.
Under the plan approved by the cabinet, 32 Ramazan bazaars will be set up in Lahore, 12 in Bahawalpur, nine in Bahawalnagar, 11 in Rahim Yar Khan, 10 in Dera Ghazi Khan, eight in Muzaffargarh, six each in Layyah and Rajanpur, 19 in Faisalabad, five in Chiniot, eight in Jhang and four in Toba Tek Singh.
Likewise, Gujranwala will have 16 bazaars, Hafizabad and Mandi Bahauddin four each, Gujrat 10, Narowal six, Sialkot eight, Sheikhupura 10, Kasur 12, Nankana Sahib six, Multan 11, Khanewal five, Vehari four, and Lodhran three.
Rawalpindi district will have 10 special bazaars, Chakwal five, Attock, Jhelum and Sahiwal six each, Okara eight, Pakpattan four, Sargodha 13, Bhakkar nine, Khushab eight and Mianwali nine. Under the directives of Punjab government, the deputy commissioners of all districts have started work in collaboration with the assistant commissioners and local government officials for setting up the bazaars by April 2.
After Prime Minister Imran Khan, the opposition has also submitted a no-confidence motion against Chief Minister Usman Buzdar in the Punjab Assembly who has submitted his resignation to the premier. The government has offered Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi the post of chief minister, which he has reportedly accepted.
The sources said the process of approval of the Rs8 billion subsidy had not been completed yet. A summary has been sent to the cabinet for the supply of accessories needed for setting up the fair price shops. The sources said several issues could not be discussed by the provincial cabinet in recent weeks because of increased political engagements of the leaders.
Meanwhile, the administration and local government officials have reportedly completed about 70 per cent work for setting up the bazaars with the help of private contractors. However, the deputy commissioners are worried about the approval of the expenses on the furniture, tents and fixtures used in the makeshift markets.
When contacted, Punjab Local Government Secretary Dr Naeem Rauf said the provincial cabinet had already approved the plan to set up Ramazan bazaars and the decision would be implemented. "We will try to provide all facilities to the citizens during Ramazan," he said.
Lahore Commissioner Muhammad Usman said the bazaars were being set up as per the government instructions to provide affordable items of good quality to the citizens during the month. He said all the deputy commissioners in the division would compete the preparations by April 2 and any issue causing pause in the work would be resolved soon.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 31st, 2022.