Lahore, (PR) : On the directives of the Chief Minister Punjab, the provincial government is striving to provide relief to the people during the holy month of Ramzan as the district authorities delivered more than 2.8 million ration bags to deserving families across the province under the Nigehban Ramzan package, said officials during a briefing.
The briefing was given at a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Punjab held to review the provision of ration bags and price control measures, at the Civil Secretariat. The administrative secretaries of industries, agriculture, Chairman PITB, DG Punjab Food Authority, DIG Special Branch, and officers concerned attended the meeting while all divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners participated through video link.
Officials briefed the Chief Secretary that as many as three lac 19 thousand ration bags were provided to the deserving people yesterday. They said that imported onions are available at a price of Rs.95 per kg in the 10 agriculture fair price (AFP) shops established in Ramzan bazaars in Lahore, while the sale of imported onions in Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Sargodha, and Gujranwala would start from today.
The Chief Secretary said that the delivery of ration bags at the doorsteps of deserving families was a big challenge, adding that the program is being implemented in an organized and hassle-free manner, which is unprecedented. Expressing satisfaction over the process of ration bag delivery, the Chief Secretary praised Deputy Commissioner Lodhran for achieving the 71 percent target of provision of ration bags. He said that no compromise could be made on the quality of ration being provided under the Ramzan package, and the Punjab Food Authority should continue checking the food items.
The Chief Secretary also issued instructions to suspend the relevant staff for the distribution of ration bags in clusters at certain places in Muzaffargarh and Bahawalpur. He said that the number of price control magistrates has been increased for effective monitoring of prices as the implementation of price lists would give relief to consumers to a great extent. He directed the Price Control Magistrates to remain active in the field and take strict action against overcharging.
The administrative secretaries of industries and agriculture gave a detailed briefing at the meeting. They said that 598 persons were arrested and 192 cases were registered for overcharging. The price magistrates checked 72 thousand places and fined Rs 7.8 million for violations. They said that on Friday more than one lac consumers benefited from the agriculture fair price shops in Ramzan bazaars. 13 items are being sold at 25 percent less than the wholesale rates at these shops, they concluded.
