Pindi mulls subsidised Ramazan bazaars

Iftar essentials will be made available for fasters during holy month

RAWALPINDI:

The district administration has decided to set up 11 Subsidised Ramzan Bazaars (Sastay Ramzan Bazaar) in Rawalpindi city and one each in every tehsil during the holy month of Ramzan this year.

The Agriculture Department has also announced to set up agricultural stalls to provide tomatoes, potatoes, onions, gram flour and pulses at discounted rates. These stalls will be set up in a corner of the bazaars and at the gates of the agriculture department offices. The Poultry Research Institute will also set up stalls to provide chicken at subsidised rates from the 1st to the 30th of Ramzan. All bazaars will be fully covered and will offer sugar, flour, ghee, gram flour, vegetables and fruits at specially subsidized rates.

The bazaars will become operational on February 28, which is two days before Ramzan and will be shut down on 29th Ramzan after Iftar time. Entries to these bazaars will be through walk-through gates and each bazaar will have a separate in-charge. From the first of Ramzan to Eidul Fitr, officers of the Revenue Department, Tehsildars, Naib Tehsildars, Gurdawars will also be entrusted with the powers of temporary price magistrates.

It is proposed to set up bazaars in Rawalpindi and Cantonment Board areas at Committee Chowk, Haidari Chowk, Dhoke Hassu, Khayaban-e-Sir Syed, Allama Iqbal Park, Gulzar-e-Quaid, Morgah, Adiala Road, Chakri Road, Chohar Chowk and Chungi No. 22, while separate larger Subsidised Ramzan bazaars will also be set up in Murree, Kotli Sattian, Kahuta, Kallar Syedan, Gujar Khan and Taxila.

The Deputy Commissioner has invited tenders for private contractors to provide canopies, tents, chairs, tables and steel baskets for the bazaars. Contractors will prepare covered enclosures and ensure protection from rain at the sites of the bazaars. Each market will have three uniformed personnel from local police and civil defence departments for security, along with the deployment of female police personnel.

The bazaars will remain operational until the 20th of Ramzan and will be converted into Eid Bazaars from the 21st of Ramzan. Eid bazaars will offer clothing and other festive items for children, adults and women at affordable prices.

Stalls in these bazaars will be provided for free, however, any vendor found overcharging will have their stall cancelled. Separate stalls for subsidised sugar and flour will also be set up outside the bazaars by the Punjab government. A special Ramzan package is also expected to be announced by the Chief Minister of Punjab.