Over six million persons get benefit from SRS: Elahi

Punjab Chief Minister, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi here on Wednesday has said that Sasta Ration Scheme (SRS) had proved very successful in Punjab and more than six million poor and destitute persons were benefiting from this scheme.
He said that under this programme, atta, sugar and pulses were being provided at Rs 20 less than the market rate and a subsidy of more than Rs 2 billion was being provided by the Government for this purpose.
He said that Sasta Ramazan Bazars had been set up for the low-income families, where essential items were being provided at Rs 5 to 6 per kg lesser than the market rate. The special campaign against hoarders and profiteers had been intensified, he added.
The CM talking to journalists during his visit to Shadman bazaar stated that strict action was being taken against hoarders, profiteers and those who were involved in adulteration and some arrests had also been made in this connection, he added.
He warned that no leniency would be shown towards hoarders and profiteers and special magistrates were conducting raids against such elements. He said that the district governments had been mobilised for monitoring the prices and district Nazims were playing their due role for controlling the prices of essential commodities.
Elahi said that special measures were being taken for the smooth supply of kitchen items besides maintaining their prices and quality, adding, He said that under the special programme of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, utility stores were being established in the province and the process of providing relief to low-income segments of the society would continue throughout the year.
He said that three Sasta Ramazan Bazaars and 27 fair price shops had been established here and the government was providing all necessary facilities to the traders regarding Sasta Ramazan Bazaars.
The CM also visited the stalls of meat, vegetables, ghee and other essential items and enquired about their prices from the consumers. He also directed to improve the cleanliness conditions in the bazaar.
District Nazim Lahore Mian Amir Mehmood, Provincial Minister for Tourism, Mian Aslam Iqbal, Chief Secretary Punjab Salman Siddique, Chairman Price Control Committee Kh. Tahir Zia and DCO Mian Ijaz also accompanied the CM.