RAWALPINDI: To provide vegetables at the wholesale rates, the district administration has established 11 Sahulat Bazaars in the city with the deputy commissioner hinting at increasing the number of the bazaars for the convenience of the residents.

Talking to Dawn, DC Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema said that prices at the Sahulat Bazaars were fixed and the district administration would ensure the quality of food items.

“The number of people visiting these bazaars is increasing and we have planned to further increase the number.”

Tomato rate has been fixed at Rs84 per kg in the Sahulat Bazaars while retailers are selling it at Rs96 per kg. Potatoes are available at Rs80 per kg against Rs88 to Rs90 per kg at the retail markets. Onion is being sold in Sahulat Bazaar at Rs125 per kg while in common shops it is being sold at Rs138 to Rs140 per kg.

These Sahulat Bazaars are established at Sadiqabad, Committee Chowk, Gol Market Raja Bazaar, Haideri Chowk, Chur Chowk, Adiala Road, Ch. Bostan Khan Road, Gujar Khan, Mughal Market Taxila, Main Bazaar Kahuta and Main Bazaar Kallar Syedan.

To monitor the quality and prices, the deputy commissioner said a price magistrate counter had been established in each bazaar and market committee officials were also there to receive complaints.

He said the plantation campaign, provision of Kisan Cards, Sahulat Bazaars, Clean Punjab Drive, elimination of encroachments and implementation of fixed prices of Roti were among the top priorities of the Punjab government.

Meanwhile, Mr Cheema directed the assistant commissioners to carry out plantations on a large scale to improve the condition of the green belts, and to launch a grand operation to clear the city from encroachments. FIRs should be registered against those who make encroachment again. “Due to encroachment, people have become unable to move in the city,” he said.

He said that the scope of Clean Punjab Drive was being expanded. A new system of sanitation is being introduced at the Union Council level, sanitation staff will be recruited in each UC, and machinery has been provided to transport garbage from streets to the transfer stations.

He said that the price of Roti had been fixed by the government at Rs14, and its 100pc implementation will be ensured.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed all parliamentarians from the Rawalpindi district to visit these bazaars on a daily basis to inspect whether or not these were providing facilities to the people.

A senior leader of the PML-N told Dawn that the party leadership was worried about inflation and had started work to provide maximum facilities to the people.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2024