RAWALPINDI: Punjab Minister for Social Welfare and Baitul Mal Syed Yawar Abbas Bukhari on Saturday said the provincial government would make Rawalpindi a model city for the rest of the province in terms of public welfare.

“In this regard, the first priority should be given to price control so that people get full relief in Ramazan,” he stated this while presiding over a meeting to review the performance of the district administration.

Deputy Commissioner retired Capt Anwarul Haq while briefing the minister about the ongoing development projects in the district said mega projects had been taken up on a priority basis.

At the same time, progress is also being made on the Ring Road and Leh Expressway project which will be a revolutionary step for the city.

There are 176 schemes worth Rs93.75 billion in the district out of which 142 are ongoing, four new and one under public-private partnership.

Asks district govt to keep check on prices of daily items in Ramazan

Moreover, there are 29 new inducted schemes.

Similarly, in the anti-dengue campaign, teams and resources are being augmented in areas where larvae are found in large numbers.Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) retired Capt Qasim, ADC (Revenue) Shoaib Ali, Deputy Director Development Saima Ghafoor, Rawalpindi Waste Management Company Managing Director Awais Manzoor Tarar, Chief Executive Officer Health Dr Faiza were also present.

Later, the provincial minister visited Red Crescent Hospital and monitored the mass vaccination centre being set up for Covid-19 there.

He examined the services and took feedback from the citizens on the spot about the services provided to them and appreciated and encouraged the staff of the service centre for their satisfactory performance and urged them to continue their public service with the same spirit.

The minister was told that action was being taken against profiteers on a daily basis in the district. According to a report, 59,936 raids were conducted since January 1.

In addition to fines of Rs10.27 million, 20 FIRs have been registered and action has been taken against 5,579 violators.

The minister was told that the biggest problem in terms of price control in the district was the absence of a vegetable market.

The minister directed the officials to identify land and prepare a feasibility report to set up a vegetable market within the limits of the Rawalpindi district.

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2021