Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif presided over a meeting to review measures to set up Ramazan Bazaars during the holy month of Ramadan. Addressing the meeting, the CM said that special relief will be provided to the people during the month of Ramadan and Ramadan Bazaars will be set up across the province where top quality food items will be available at low price.
The meeting decided to set up 318 agriculture fair price shops under Agriculture Department where fruits and vegetables will be sold at wholesale rate and subsidy will be provided at gram flour, gram pulse, dates, bananas and apples. Shahbaz said no compromise will be made on the quality of edible items and sufficient supply of essential items, fruits and vegetables should be ensured during Ramadan. He said that there should be no complaint of shortage or unavailability of any food item and for this purpose, all concerned departments should make arrangements well in advance. He said that rates of all food items should be displayed on digital boards in Ramadan bazaars and excellent cleanliness arrangements should also be made. He said concerning DCs and DPOs will monitor auction process in markets.
The CM said profiteers are enemies of the people and indiscriminating crackdown should be launched against them. He said advance measures should be taken to control prices in open markets to provide relief to the people and no stone should be left unturned to ensure stability in prices and availability of daily use commodities. He said Ramadan is the month to collect blessings of Allah Almighty and all concerning departments should make extra efforts for this purpose.
Shahbaz said that he will personally monitor measures aimed at providing relief to the people. Provincial Ministers Malik Nadeem Kamran, Sheikh Allauddin, Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Naeem Akhtar Bhabha, Adviser Dr Umer Saif, Chief Secretary and secretaries of concerning departments were also present on the occasion.