LAHORE, Nov 17: Governor Khalid Maqbool has asked the district government to improve sanitation conditions in Ramazan Bazaars and keep an eye on the quality and prices of items being sold there.

He gave the direction while inspecting Ramazan Bazaars in Shadman and Wahdat Colony here on Sunday. District Nazim Mian Amer, the DCO and other officials accompanied the governor.

Earlier, the governor inquired about the usefulness of sasta bazaars and the prices and quality of items being sold there. Many people expressed their satisfaction over the rates, but complained of insanitation, inadequate parking arrangements and quality of fruit and vegetables.

Shopkeepers told the governor that the supply of fruit and vegetables was better. The prices of gram floor, cooking oil, sugar and pulses were stable while those of potato, onion and tomato were decreasing.

The governor directed the administration to encourage the supply of vegetables direct from growers and daily use items from companies to such bazaars so as to provide them to the people at rates lower than the open market.

He directed the police authorities to ensure security at all Ramazan Bazaars, markets and other shopping centres and mosques.

Provincial law minister Rana Ejaz also visited Islampura Ramazan Bazaar and directed the market committee secretary and the district administration to take action against those selling rotten and stale fruit and vegetables in such bazaars. He also took a serious notice of insanitation in the bazaar.

He said stern action would be taken against the market committee secretary and other officials if they failed to improve conditions in Ramazan Bazaars.

Earlier, the minister visited the Bhati Gate police station and inquired about details of Saturday’s alleged police torture on people including women. The SHO and the area people claimed that the women were not beaten up and those who had levelled the allegation of torture were drug traffickers.

The minister also visited the Tibbi police station and Islampura’s police investigation centre.