LAHORE - The Punjab government has allocated Rs4 billion to provide items of daily use at subsidized rates to the common men during the month of Ramazan.
The most glaring reduction has been made in the flour price as cut of Rs100 has been made in 20kg bag which would be available at Rs350 in Ramazan bazaars to be set up throughout the province during the upcoming holy month.
The same bag will be available with a reduction of Rs60 in the open market. Besides the price control magistrates, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has directed ministers, MPAs and secretaries to pay regular visit to the Ramzan Sasta (Green) Bazaars to keep the prices strictly under control and ensure sale of quality fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry and other items.
The government has announced zero tolerance for hoarders and profiteers, ordering price control magistrate to take stern action against them.
The chief minster gave approval to the Ramazan package at a high level meeting in Lahore on Wednesday. Provincial ministers Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Bilal Yasin, Chaudhry Muhammad Shafique, Dr Farrukh Javed, Advisor to the CM Azmul Haq, Punjab chief secretary, secretaries of various departments, Lahore commissioner, DCO and other officers attended the meeting.
The meeting decided that special committee of cabinet would review the provision of essential items on daily basis during Ramazan and monitor the prices.
The chief minister said the cabinet committee should contact poultry, sugar and ghee associations and hold talks with them for providing relief to the common man in Ramazan bazaars.
He said that besides Ramazan bazaars, fair price shops would also be set up throughout the province.
He said that Madni Ramazan Dastarkhawan would also be established throughout the province with the cooperation of well-to-do people and philanthropists.
The chief minister directed the commissioners and DCOs to ensure best arrangements in Ramazan bazaars in their districts and tents should also be installed in Ramazan bazaars for the convenience of the people.
He asserted that no compromise would be made on the quality of the items so that the common man could benefit from the Ramazan package.