LAHORE: A Ramazan package of over Rs9 billion has been devised to provide relief to people during the holy month, and out of it Rs8.78bn will be spent on the provision of subsidised flour – bringing the price of 10kg bag down to Rs250 and 20kg bag to Rs500.

Addressing a meeting, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said more than 318 Ramazan bazaars had been set up across the province and model bazaars established to work on the same form. Bags of 10kg and 20kg flour will entail a subsidy of Rs125 and Rs250 per bag, respectively.

He said agriculture fair price shops had been set up at all Ramazan bazaars where Rs20 per kg subsidy was being given on gram pulse, gram flour (besan), dates, apples and bananas, while ghee, cooking oil, chicken, eggs and sugar will also be available at lower than market rates.

He said more than 2,000 ‘Madni Dastarkhawans’ had been set up all over the province where free Iftar and Sehr meals would be served. He directed the authorities to ensure that rates of all food items at Ramazan bazaars and open market were displayed at prominent spots and digital price boards installed.

Foolproof security arrangements should be made at all bazaars, while provincial ministers and secretaries will visit the bazaars to check price and quality of food available. The cabinet committee on price control will monitor prices daily. He said an indiscriminate crackdown should be launched on profiteers and hoarders.

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2017