Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has granted approval to a relief package of billions of rupees for the people during the month of Ramzan. He made the announcement while addressing a high-level meeting through video link at the civil secretariat on Friday.
The chief minister said that a subsidy of five billion rupees will be given under Ramzan Package on flour to the masses. He said that the flour bag of 10 KG will be available to the citizens for Rs.290 in Ramzan bazaars whereas 10 KG flour bag will be available at Rs.310 and 20 KG flour bag at Rs.620 in the open market.
Shehbaz Sharif said that 330 Ramzan bazaars will be set up in Punjab whereas 25 model bazaars will also operate as Ramzan bazaars. He said that two thousand dastarkhawan will also be arranged in the province during Ramzan. He said that Ramzan bazaars will start functioning from June 3 and will remain open from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM. He said that concerned associations will supply sugar, ghee, chicken and eggs at cheaper rate in the Ramzan bazaars.
He said that agriculture fair price shops will also be set up in the Ramzan bazaars where fruit, dates, vegetables and pulses will be available at concessionary rate.
The chief minister said that like every year, Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) government is also giving a special package for providing relief to the common man in the holy month of Ramzan.
The chief minister ordered the authorities to ensure that prices of fruit, vegetables, pulses and essential items are displayed prominently in Ramzan bazaars and open market and said that digital price boards should be set up for facilitating the masses.
Shehbaz Sharif said that abundant supply of quality items should be ensured so that citizens can fully benefit from the Ramzan package. He said that no compromise will be made on the quality of necessary items and added that provision of pulses at affordable rate should be ensured.
Shehbaz Sharif further directed that arrangements should be made for the import of any item of which there is a possibility of shortage while indiscriminate action should be taken against hoarders and profiteers.
He said that foolproof security arrangements should be made in Ramzan bazaars, adding that the DCOs should personally monitor the process of auctioning in vegetable markets while provincial ministers and secretaries should pay visits to Ramzan bazaars to review the quality, availability and prices of essential items.
He said that cabinet committee on price control will monitor prices of essential commodities in Ramzan bazaars on daily basis.
The chief minister directed the authorities to provide maximum facilities to the consumers in Ramzan bazaars and added that proper parking arrangements should also be made at the Ramzan bazaars.