Towards an ‘affordable’ Ramzan for all

Shahbaz Sharif has directed quality and low priced food items be made available to the people during Ramzan.

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has directed quality and low priced food items be made available to the people during the holy month of Ramzan. Sharif said that special monitoring committees needed to be set up to keep a check on prices.

During a meeting at the provincial secretariat, the chief minister said that amid the price hikes all possible measures would be taken for the provision of quality goods to the common man at reasonable prices during Ramzan. Shahbaz Sharif said that the Punjab government had announced a special ‘Ramzan package’ to facilitate the masses under which top quality flour would be available at subsidised rates in common markets. Likewise, the provision of quality vegetables and fruit will also be ensured through green channels.

He said that producers and manufacturers should be encouraged to set up stalls of other commodities in the Ramzan bazaars, directing the authorities concerned to negotiate with the owners of ghee factories to provide ghee supply at reduced rates during the holy month. The CM pointed out that the ‘Sasti Roti Dastarkhawan’ programme was operating successfully with the cooperation of philanthropists and the destitute were being provided with a meal twice a day. “The poor will now have sehr and iftar at these Dastarkhawans,” he said. He said that the government was holding talks with sugar mill owners regarding the provision of a steady supply at fixed rates during Ramzan.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 30^th, 2010.