LAHORE, July 17: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has announced a Special Ramazan Package to provide quality edibles at subsidized rates to the people during Ramazan.

Under the package, 10-kg wheat flour bag will be available at Rs230 in Ramazan Bazaars, at Rs240 in the open market while 20-kg flour bag will be available in the open market at Rs480.

A subsidy of Rs4 billion will be given to ensure provision of essential items at reduced rates to the people whereas 322 Ramazan Bazaars will be set up across the province, he said while chairing a meeting regarding the Ramazan package here on Tuesday.

He said a fair price shop would be set up at every Ramazan Bazaar under the agriculture department where pulses, vegetables and fruits would be available at 15 per cent less than the market price.

Similarly, essential items at subsidized rates would also be made available in all districts for which fair price shops would be established in consultation with local traders.

A central monitoring room would be set up for the stability of prices and supply of essential items at concessionary rates.

The chief minister said 10 model bazaars already operational in different cities are being transformed into Ramazan Bazaars as a revolving fund has been set up for purchasing pulses and other essential items from the market and providing them to the citizens at concessionary rates.

He directed that negotiations should be held with sugar mills and poultry association regarding provision of sugar and chicken meat to the people at cheaper rates.

He further directed maximum number of ‘Dastarkhawan’ throughout the province to ensure availability of free Iftar to the fasting people.