LAHORE: The Punjab government will give Rs11 billion subsidy for providing wheat flour, pulses, ghee, sugar, fruit and vegetables at discount under the Ramazan package this year.

The decision was made in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif here on Friday.

The meeting reviewed prices and provision of essential items in the month of Ramazan starting by mid-May and approved setting up 300 Sasta Ramazan bazaars to provide relief to the people during the month across the province.

300 Sasta bazaars to be set up across province

Under the decision, a 20kg flour bag will be available in Ramazan bazaars and open market at Rs500 and 10kg bag at Rs250. Thirty-two model bazaars will also be set up while 2,000 Dasterkhwan (meal centres) will be established across the province to provide free Sehr and Iftar. The chief minister Agri fair price shops will also be set up where pulses and vegetables will be available at prices less than the market rates.

Shahbaz Sharif sought effective security measures for Ramazan bazaars and ample supply of essential items there. He said the prices of the commodities for sale should be conspicuously displayed in the bazaars and digital price boards should be installed for the visitors.

The meeting was told that a trend of cut in prices of essential items has been witnessed before the advent of Ramazan.

Meanwhile, Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar called on the Punjab chief minister here.

On the request of Mr Akhtar, the CM directed the authorities to send a team of health department officials to Karachi for bringing about improvement in hospitals. The medical experts will soon visit the port city and submit their recommendations for improving 12 Karachi hospitals to the Punjab chief minister for initiating necessary steps.

The Karachi mayor said he was impressed by the development of Lahore and would adopt its model for uplift of Karachi.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2018