Punjab decides to activate 76 convenience markets before Ramadan, 9 new markets to be established

Lahore: The Punjab government has intensified large-scale arrangements to provide relief to citizens before the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan. On the instructions of the Punjab Chief Minister, it has been decided to fully activate 76 convenience markets to ensure cheap and quality supply of food items across the province, while 9 new Ramadan convenience markets will also be established.
In this regard, an important meeting was held under the chairmanship of Special Assistant for Food Safety and Consumer Protection Salma Butt, in which a detailed review of the preparations, supply chain and pricing system in different districts was taken. While giving a briefing in the meeting, officials said that during Ramadan, flour, sugar, pulses, rice, ghee, oil, vegetables, fruits and other essential items will be provided to the public at official rates so that the effects of inflation can be reduced.
The government has formed special committees at the district level to set up new markets, while the supervision of administrative matters has been entrusted to the concerned Deputy Commissioners and the Facilitation Market Authority. The aim of these measures is to provide all essential commodities to the citizens at one place at reasonable prices during Ramadan.
Salma Butt clarified in the meeting that no compromise on prices and quality will be tolerated. She said that food safety teams will be continuously present in the field and will strictly check the quality, cleanliness and weight of food items. Immediate action will be taken against violators.
She added that government branding, prominent price lists and a special monitoring system for immediate redressal of complaints are being introduced in all markets so that the public gets complete confidence and there is no scope for any kind of corruption or overcharging.
Officials say that this Ramadan package will prove to be an important step towards saving the common man from the pressure of inflation and ensuring easy availability of essential commodities.