RAWALPINDI, July 19: The computerised balloting for the allotment of 200 stalls in the newly-established Sasta Model Bazaar near Liaquat Bagh was held on Tuesday prior to its formal inauguration by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on July 25.

PML-N MNA Shakil Awan was the chief guest at the balloting ceremony held in the DCO office. DCO Saqib Zafar and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.

Over 532 people applied for 200 stalls at the rent of Rs150 a month. The bazaar would offer essential commodities and other household items at the subsidised rates.

MNA Shakil Awan while speaking on the occasion said that the bazaar was the first of its kind in Rawalpindi where the people would get commodities on much lower prices than those of the open market.

He said that 30 stalls were allocated for vegetables, 20 for fruits, 30 for grocery and kariana items, 14 for poultry, fish and meat, 16 for food and general items and 19 stalls were allocated for miscellaneous items.

“The Sasta (cheap) bazaar would be opened by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on July 25.

This is a gift for the residents of Rawalpindi to buy basic commodities on affordable rates,” he said.

A monitoring committee of the district administration has been constituted to ensure cleanliness and subsidised rates in the bazaar which would remain opened for four days a week initially while the authorities are planning to extend it for the whole week at a later stage.