LAHORE, Sept 25: Three makeshift Sasta Ramazan Bazaars started functioning in the jurisdiction of two towns on Monday.

The Data Gunj Bakhsh Town has set up two and the Samanabad Town one Sasta Ramazan Bazaar to provide essential items to consumers at subsidised rates during the holy month.

The markets set up by the Data Town at the office of the Union Council No 82 nazim in Islampura and at the Shadman Link Road near the GOR-II have over a dozen and 20 shops, respectively. The fair price market of the Samanabad Town at the Wahdat Road quarters cricket ground has 30 or so kiosks.

The prices of commodities at the 10 or so stalls set up by multinational companies at the Wahdat Road bazaar were Rs2 to Rs5 less than the market rates, and there was no difference in the prices of most perishable items at the other stalls and the nearby markets or retail shops.

“The market committees concerned are supplying perishables items and determine their prices at the three makeshift markets, while the town officials will ensure that consumers get quality commodities at fixed rates,” local body officials said.

A number of traders at the Wahdat Colony market said unlike the Sunday Bazaar, they had been given the space free of charge. “Samanabad nazim Mian Javaid Ali has assured us that electricity will be provided free and the security of our shops will be their responsibility. We don’t have to arrange men to guard our set-ups at night,” they said.

Regarding prices, they said there had been no checks on the wholesale dealers. “In fact, the big guns at places like the Badami Bagh vegetables and fruit market and the Akbari Gate market are behind the price hike,” they said.