Shahbaz Sharif expresses his satisfaction over wheat procurement campaign,announces 5billions Ramzan package

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has announced Ramazan Package of Rs.5 billion for abundant supply of quality essential items to the masses at cheaper rate during the holy month of Ramazan. Under Ramazan Package, atta bag will be available to the people in Ramazan Bazaars and open market at concessionary rate.

A total of 360 Ramazan Bazaars will be set up in Punjab while all model bazaars, Sahulat bazaars, Juma and Etwar bazaars will be converted into Ramazan bazaars. Moreover, 334 fair price shops will be established in Ramazan bazaars where articles of daily use will be available at wholesale price. Stalls of Utility Stores will also be established in Ramazan bazaars.

He made this announcement while presiding over a high level meeting here today which reviewed Ramazan package for the provision of essential items to the masses at concessionary rate in Ramazan bazaars during Ramazan.

The Chief Minister also approved Ramazan Package of Rs.5 billion for providing relief to the masses during Ramazan.

The Chief Minister said that effective monitoring of Ramazan bazaars will be ensured for easy availability of quality essential items at cheaper rate during Ramazan and provincial ministers, elected representatives, secretaries, Commissioners and District Coordination Officers will perform duties in this regard. He said that provincial ministers, elected representatives and administrate machinery will pay regular visits to Ramazan bazaars for the implementation of Ramazan Package which is aimed at provision of maximum relief to the masses.

He said that nine provincial ministers and local assembly members of nine divisions of the province will perform their responsibilities in this regard on permanent basis. The Chief Minister said that provincial cabinet committee can use his aircraft and helicopter for visiting far-flung areas. He said that no compromise will be made over the quality of vegetables, fruits and essential items in Ramazan bazaars and political and administrative machinery will play an active role for ensuring supply of quality items of daily use in abundance so that people could fully benefit from Ramazan Package.

He further said that chicken and eggs will be available in Ramazan bazaars at 15 rupees less than market price. The Chief Minister directed that 2000 Madni Dastarkhwan be set up in the province for providing facility of free Sehri and Iftari to the people. He said that philanthropists making arrangements for Madni Dastarkhwan will earn success in this world and the world hereafter. He said that Punjab government will extend all out cooperation with regard to Madni Dastarkhwan.

Shahbaz Sharif further directed that a survey of cold storages be conducted in the province and details of the stored items be collected. He also issued instructions for formulating Cold Storage Act. He said that the role of cabinet committee is of vital importance regarding quality, availability and prices of ghee, sugar, gram flour, gram pulse, dates and other necessary items in Ramazan bazaars and the cabinet committee should evolve an effective mechanism in this regard.

He directed that coordination with Utility Stores be maintained so that people could fully benefit from the Ramazan Package announced by federal and Punjab government. He directed Minister for Labour and Secretary Labour to ensure correct weight and measures system in Ramazan bazaars and warned that stern action will be taken in case of any complaint in this regard.

Provincial Ministers Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Dr. Farrukh Javed, Bilal Yasin, Muhammad Shafiq, Member National Assembly Afzal Khokhar, Chief Secretary, Inspector General Police, concerned secretaries and senior officers attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has expressed satisfaction over wheat procurement campaign in Punjab and congratulated Provincial Minister for Food Bilal Yasin, Chief Secretary Naveed Akram Cheema, Secretary Food Aslam Kamboh, Director Food Capt. (R) Muhammad Usman and the entire team.

The Chief Minister appreciated the performance and efficiency of political and administrative team towards success of wheat procurement campaign during a high level meeting regarding Ramazan Package.

He said that excellent arrangements have been made during wheat procurement campaign and no complaint has been received. He said that timely payments have been made to the farmers and all matters have been dealt with in an excellent manner for which efforts of the entire team are commendable. He said that encouragement of political and administrative machinery over best performance would continue in future as well.

The Chief Minister as well as all the participants of the meeting paid tributes to Provincial Minister for Food Bilal Yasin, Chief Secretary Naveed Akram Cheema, Secretary Food Aslam Kamboh, Director Food Capt. (R) Muhammad Usman and the entire team.