Ensure people get subsidy relief: CM

CM directs ministers, elected representatives to visit Ramazan Bazaars

LAHORE: All efforts should be made to provide relief to people at Ramazan Bazaars, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Monday.

The chief minister was presiding over a meeting at Civil Secretariat through video link to review arrangements for Ramazan Bazaars.

“Availability of essential items at reasonable rates should also be ensured in the open market. Action should be taken against hoarders and profiteers so that people shopping in the open market also get relief,” he said.

He directed the Provincial Price Control Committee and Ramazan Monitoring Committee to check profiteering.

“The purpose of setting up Ramazan Bazaars throughout the province is to provide food items to the common man at affordable rates. A large number of people are benefitting from these bazaars,” he said.

He said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government had given a Ramazan Package worth billions of rupees for providing relief to the people. “Under the package, flour, pulses and vegetables are being provided at affordable rates in Ramazan Bazaars,” he said.

The chief minister said that action should be taken against shopkeepers violating the official price list. “It is the responsibility of the weights and measures director general to take steps to check short measures. No one will be allowed to exploit the masses. The departments concerned have to perform their duties efficiently,” he said.

He said that the government would safeguard the interests of the people. “The people cannot be left at the mercy of hoarders and profiteers. No one will be allowed to exploit the citizens,” he said.

The chief minister said that district administrations making good arrangements for Ramazan Bazaars would be rewarded.

He directed ministers, elected representatives and government officials to visit the bazaars frequently.

“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the benefits of Ramazan Package reach the citizens. No negligence will be tolerated in this regard,” he said.

He said that adequate supply of essential items, fruits and vegetables should be ensured to all Ramazan Bazaars. “Fans and water coolers should be installed in Ramazan Bazaars,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 23^rd, 2015.