RAWALPINDI: Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat on Sunday visited a Ramazan bazaar to inspect arrangements made by the district administration for provision of essential food items to the citizens at reasonable rates.

He visited the Ramazan bazaar at Chungi No 22 and inquired about the quality of food items from the visitors. Deputy Commissioner Chaudhry Mohammad Ali Randhawa and other senior officials were also present.

The minister was briefed about the arrangements made in each Ramazan bazaars in the city.

Proper seating arrangements have been made for women and senior citizens besides installation of CCTV cameras to ensure safety and security of visitors as well as stallholders.

The deputy commissioner said the Ramazan bazaars had been set up to facilitate the citizens to get all eatables and daily-use commodities on five to 20 per cent subsidised rates.

“Sugar is being provided for Rs55 per kg, wheat flour Rs290 per 10 kg bag, meat Rs750 per kg and beef Rs450 per kg. Vegetables and fruits are also being sold at reduced rates,” he said.

He said according to the price comparison, there was a huge difference in prices between the open market and Ramazan bazaars. He said people had expressed satisfaction over the arrangements to make available vegetables, pulses, fruits, drinks, sugar, flour and other items in the bazaars.

He said special teams had also been constituted to keep a vigil on profiteers.

He said the district health authority had also established medical camps to provide assistance to visitors.

The minister called upon elected representatives to play their role in monitoring the Ramazan bazaars and extend all-out cooperation to the administration for ensuring availability of quality commodities there.

He directed that foolproof security arrangements be ensured at Ramazan bazaars.

He said action would be taken against hoarders and profiteers through raiding teams under the supervision of the price control magistrates.

He said the objective of establishing the Ramazan bazaars was to provide essential commodities on subsidised rates to the citizens.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2019