KARACHI, June 8: To improve supply of vegetables and fruits, Karachi would have four new vegetable markets. The provincial government and the city government would set up two each of the new Sabzi Mandis.

This was decided in a high-level held at the Governor's House, with Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, in the chair.

The meeting reviewed matters pertaining to price control, setting up of Bachat Bazaars by the government at UC level and a dairy village over 800 acres, besides other measures to provide food items to citizens on cheaper rates.

The governor asked the agriculture department and the city government to set up two Sabzi Mandis each so that monopoly of agents and middlemen over this trade should be could be brought to an end and masses could be provided relief.

It was decided that the Consumer Rights Council would be reactivated to raise awareness about the consumers' rights. It was also decided that the provincial and the city governments would set up a joint website to receive complaints and suggestions of consumers and make laws according to them. It was suggested that consumer complaint centres should be set up on town and UC basis.

Dr Ibad asked that a dairy village be set up near Thatta over 800 cares, in which all basic infrastructure and utility facilities should be provided by the government.

He said that this project would help in provision of milk and meat to masses on cheaper rates. He said a modern slaughterhouse and other related facilities should also be provided to the proposed dairy village so that Pakistan could also become a major milk producing country.He said that concept of Bachat Bazaars should be introduced on a wider scope so as to provide citizens with all commodities at one place. He also stressed on introducing the concept of social mobilization.

Sindh Local Government Secretary Ishaque Lashari briefed the meeting on a scheme to control price hike and provide cheap daily-use items to citizens.—PPI