In order to provide basic commodities on subsidied rates during the holy monthly of Ramazan the Punjab government has decided to set up 330 Ramazan Bazaars, designate 2020 fair price shops in markets and establish 810 Dasterkhawans for providing free food at the time of Sehri and Iftar in the provincem, Business recorder learnt here on Sunday.
According to sources, the Punjab government has also nominated 1297 first Class Magistrates to check prices of eatable commodities to curb profiteering and hoarding trend during the holy month, notification to this effect has been issued. The Magistrates have been directed to pay surprise visits to the Ramazan Bazaars as well as open markets and take strict action against the profiteers.
In all Ramazan Bazaars and fair price shops, the people would be offered 25 essentials commodities (fruits, vegetables, grams, Basin and flour) at reasonable prices.
An official said that the Industries, Commerce and Investment department would ensure availability of essential commodities in sufficient quantities in these Ramazan bazaars and fair price shops in the province.
The 330 Ramazan Bazaars would be operational from first of Ramazan.
A shop named Agriculture Green Channel would be established in all these Bazaars where Basin, Dal Chana, wheat flour and sugar would be available on subsidised rate. The price of Basin has been notified at Rs 82 per kg Dall Chana Rs 80 per one kg, Sugar Rs 50 per one kg and 10 kg flour bag at Rs 230. A customer would get maximum two kilogram each of all these eatable commodities and one bag of Atta at a time. Chicken and eggs would be available at less prices as compared to open market.
Out of total Bazaars, 26 would be established in Lahore division, 40 in Rawalpindi, 50 in Gujranwala, 45 in Faisalabad, 35 in Sargodha, 16 in Multan, 18 in Sahiwal, 24 in Bahawalpur and 22 in Dera Ghazi Khan Divisions to facilitate the masses to get kitchen items on fixed and subsidized prices.
All the district governments of the province would establish 800 Dasterkawans where free Sahri and Iftari would be offered to the poor people. A special monitoring cell would be established in the Directorate of Industries to keep watchful eyes on the demand and supply and prices of the commodities to be provided in these Bazaars.
Complaints centres would be established in all Bazaars to register complaints of visitors and foolproof security arrangements would be made. Parking areas would be designated for the visitors to parks their vehicles.
District Price Control Committees have also been formed and directed to notify prices of selected food items available in all Ramazan Bazaars in consultation with the representatives of traders and retailers.
All the District Coordination Officers Deputy Commissioners have been directed to take pragmatic measures to minimize the role of middlemen in provision of fruits, vegetables and other selected commodities.
In order to ensure quality of fruits, vegetables, and meat, poultry products a comprehensive mechanism has been evolved under which senior officials of the agriculture food technologists and food inspectors would pay regular surprise visits to the bazaars to check the quality of the eatable items.
The district governments have been further directed to motivate corporate entities, industrialists and philanthropists to participate in the efforts for providing packets of essential items free to the destitute and deserving people.
The district managements have also been directed to arrange free Sehari and Iftari at hospitals, railways stations, labour colonies and Katchi Abadies to lessen the financial burden of the poor segment of society.