August 08, 2006	Tuesday	Rajab 12, 1427

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LAHORE, Aug 7: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi who formally launched the Sasta Ration Scheme here on Monday used the occasion to lambast his political rivals, especially the PPP, for what he said ignoring the lot of the poor.

The city district government had to change the venue of the ceremony from Wahdat Colony cricket ground to Town Hall lawns which were not so wet.

The ceremony was merely a power show as out of around 2,500 people present there only 50 were beneficiaries and the rest PML workers carrying party flags and raising slogans in praise of the “pro-people policies” of the chief minister.

The scheme, as authorities say, will benefit one million families in the province who will get 10-kg atta, two-kg sugar and pulses every month at Rs400 instead of market price of Rs572 - which means Rs172 subsidy per family each month.

The chief minister said that at a time when everyone was raising voice against price hike and rivals trying to exploit the situation, the government had come out with a solution.

“Previous governments have been raising slogans like roti, kapra aur makan just to win polls.”

He said the scheme would continue until an alternative was made available to the people.

Terming the opponents of dams anti-peasants, anti-masses and anti-state, Elahi said they were creating hurdles in increasing per acre output through better supply of water.

In a clear reference to the PPP, he said they would oppose Kalabagh Dam in Sindh and would keep a mum in Punjab (on the issue).

He also mentioned appointment of special magistrates for raiding shops to check profiteering.

Provincial food minister Chaudhry Iqbal also, without naming the PPP, attacked it for opposing Kalabagh Dam and said that the Sasta Ration scheme would be introduced in all districts.

Earlier, provincial industries minister Ajmal Cheema presented the welcome address.