Ineffectual endeavour: Ramazan Bazaars leave hundreds disappointed

Customers complained of insufficient stock, variety of foods.

BAHALWALPUR:

Considering the hype built around Ramazan Bazaars, the price deferential between products being sold in the open market and Ramazan Bazaars is insignificant.

The bazaars are undersupplied and items for sale have been placed in small baskets. Hundreds of customers frequenting the bazaars have frequently complained about being treated in an unbefitting manner.

The government had established Ramazan Bazaars to sell commodities at subsidised prices to provide the public succour. Ministers, lawmakers and district authority officials had been directed to visit the bazaars regularly to inspect quality standards. Adequate sanitary standards were supposed to have been maintained and staples such as flour, ghee, grams and sugar were to be sold at markedly reduced prices.

However customers have complained that the discounts offered on products are than food staples are nominal. Agricultural produce is being sold in baskets with a capacity of only two to four kilograms.

Muhammad Farid, a shopper, said that very few varieties of vegetables were being sold at markets.

He said the difference in prices of commodities being sold in Ramazan Bazaars and the open market was minimal. He said the insufficient supply of produce had rendered the entire purpose of establishing Ramazan Bazaars ineffectual.

Jawad Ahmad, another customer, told The Express Tribune that the discrepancy between demand and supply was causing shortages that had left customers disappointed.

Mehboob Alam, another customer, said the government functionaries, lawmakers and district officers visited Ramazan Bazaars only to garner publicity.

He alleged that they sent favourable reports back without being cognisant of the prevalent situation. Alam accused government functionaries of squandering subsidies worth millions of rupees.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2014.