Shahbaz for maximum relief to masses in Ramazan

LAHORE - Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif has said that poor, destitute and deserving people are fully benefiting from the supply of sasta atta (subsidised flour), which is being provided to them at one-third less than the market price in various Ramazan bazaars and trucking points. This was stated by him while presiding over a meeting regarding monitoring of Ramazan bazaars, supply of essential items and their prices, at the CM Secretariat here on Thursday. Punjab Minister for Food Malik Nadeem Kamran, Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Inspector General Punjab Police, Secretaries of Finance, Industries, Food, Information Departments, Director Food and other senior officers concerned were also present on this occasion. The Chief Minister said that through improvement of administrative affairs, maximum atta would be provided in Ramazan bazaars for maintaining its smooth supply in the last ten days of the holy month of Ramazan. He said that elected representatives, monitoring teams and administration had played a commendable role in ensuring supply of sasta atta and other quality commodities at fixed rates to the deserving people in Ramazan bazaars. He directed that arrangements should be further improved in order to provide relief to the masses in the remaining period of Ramazan. He said that besides setting up green channel for the supply of fruits and vegetables in Ramazan bazaars at reasonable rates, special stalls had also been set up for providing poultry and ghee at cheaper rates. Similarly, special counters had been set up in Ramazan bazaars for facilitating women, aged and disabled persons, he added. The CM said that he would pay visits to Ramazan bazaars during the last ten days of Ramzan and review supply of sasta atta and other essential items. He said that the purpose of the biggest subsidy of the country on atta was to provide relief to the poor so that they could spend the money thus saved on fulfilling the needs of their children and celebrating Eid. The meeting was informed that sasta atta was being supplied in 414 Ramazan bazaars and 512 trucking points on daily basis. The meeting was further informed that atta was being returned from various points as there were no buyers and it was being sent to those points where there was rush of the people. The meeting informed that solid measures had been taken against profiteers and cases registered against 20 thousand shopkeepers. Similarly, 53 cases had been registered against hoarders and 91 against the elements involved in adulteration. The meeting was informed that 3513 persons had been arrested who were involved in hoarding and profiteering whereas fine of over Rs 20 million had been imposed.

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