LAHORE, Nov 25: There was a drastic decline in the number of customers at Sunday bazaars as the city government failed for the second consecutive Sunday to control the rates and improve quality of products being marketed to 14 bazaars set up in the city.

The city govrenment had promised before the start of the Ramazan that quality eatables would be provided to Lahorites at affordable prices. But it could not keep its promise on the first Sunday of Ramazan as low quality of eatables were available at the special bazaars and that too at higher rates.

This reporter during a visit to Model Town, Wahdat Road, and Green Town bazaars found a sharp decline the number of customers as compared to pre-Ramazan Sundays. The people were also disappointed over the short supply of certain vegetables and fruits.

The University Ground Ramazan Family bazaar was, however, an exception as it was attracting a good number of people.

Punjab governor Lt-Gen Khalid Maqbool (retired) also visited it in the morning and addressed a gathering there. He wished that people should visit it after taraveeh along with their families for recreation.

The governor was briefed by food security director Dr Hamid Jalil about the stalls of food items in the bazaar. He went round various stalls and inspected the quality, weight and prices of different items.

A shopkeeper complained to the governor that he kept his stall open till 2am but power supply to the bazaar was discontinued at 1am. Mr Maqbool ordered continuous power supply to the market till 3am.

The governor also visited Sunday bazaar and Ramazan Rozana bazaar in Shadman and found heaps of rotten food lying at various places. He directed that cleanliness be improved at these markets and eatables be kept under covers.

Exchanging views with some consumers, he instructed that a separate place be earmarked for beggars.