As part of the inflation relief measures of the Punjab government, the district administration has decided to provide essential commodities to the public seven days a week at wholesale rates.
In the first phase, the Sunday markets of Nawaz Sharif Park, Hyderi Chowk and Committee Chowk have been declared model wholesale bazaars where the administration will provide space to the traders without any tax, committee fee, etc. Traders will be able to sell essential commodities like sugar, pulses, vegetables, fruits, chicken and other items at wholesale rates round-the-clock.
Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema says the stall holders in Sasta Bazaars are selling essential items including clothes and other goods at retail. There are public complaints that there is no difference between the prices of ordinary markets and cheap markets and that the quality of goods in the cheap markets is also not good.
Now, in the light of the instructions of the Punjab government, space will be provided to traders and wholesalers in such markets without any tax or commission fee, he adds.
Clothing and retail items will not be allowed to be sold in these markets as only food and beverages will be allowed to be supplied at wholesale rates.
According to Cheema, a total of 10 markets will be set up with an aim to provide relief to inflation-stricken residents of Rawalpindi.
The perception of closing down the weekly cheap markets in Rawalpindi is not correct, but it is an important step towards providing relief to the people, he maintains.
The availability of essential items at wholesale rates will provide 15 to 20% relief to the public, the DC claims.
Traders and entrepreneurs, who want to do business in these wholesale markets, should contact the district administration.
In the next phase, Cheema adds, the scope of the markets will be extended to the Commercial Market, Chauhar and other areas of Rawalpindi. The bazaar near Nawaz Sharif Park was not opened due to the Pak-Bangladesh match.
On the other hand, the stall holders of the Sunday bazaar located near Committee Chowk have expressed their concerns over the decision of the district administration, saying the closure of the bazaar will affect hundreds of other people along with the stall holders. Authorities should take notice and restore Committee Chowk Sasta Bazaar, they urge.
The DC is of the view that the Committee Chowk Saturday market is not being abolished, but here wholesale traders and business class will be allowed to sell essential items only at wholesale rates seven days a week.
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