LAHORE: People on Sunday thronged the ‘Ramazan Sahulat counters’ set up by the government, offering various essential items at the rates notified by the market committees, which are less than those being charged in the open market.

However, some of the customers objected to the quality of the items being sold by the vendors at these counters.

On the other hand, those shopping in the open market also complain against vendors for not following notified price lists and requested the government to take action against them.

“Setting up Ramazan Sahulat counters in model bazaars is a good step. But some vendors, while weighing and packing, often mix substandard and rotten vegetables or fruits with fresh ones, and when customers complain, they argue that one or two substandard pieces ‘get mixed’ inadvertently as we have to work hastily,” complains a shopper while talking to Dawn at Johar Town Model Bazaar. “And if you shop at the stalls other than the Sahulat counters, you not only get poor quality items, but the vendors also misbehave with the customers,” he added.

The government has set up Ramazan Sahulat stalls at the existing model bazaars and Ramzan Sahulat bazaars across the province, offering 16 items to the customers at wholesale prices during Ramazan.

In Lahore, Sahulat stalls have been set up at all 10 model bazaars -- Mian Plaza (Johar Town), Sher Shah Colony, Chuhng, Raiwind, Township, Wahdat Colony, Sabzazar, Thokar, Harbanspura and China Scheme.

Other districts where the Sahulat stalls have been set up at model bazaars, include Faislabad, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Rawalpindi, DG Khan, Bahawalpur, Sialkot, Rajanpur, Layyah, Jhang, Pakpattan, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Chakwal, Lodhran, Vehari, TT Singh, Khushab, Bhakkar, Mainwali and Taunsa.

Since the rest of the districts, including Khanewal, Narowal, Nankana Sahib, Okara, Attock, Jhelum, Bahawalnagar and Chiniot, have no model bazaars, the government has set up Ramazan Sahulat bazaars there by making temporary arrangements.

According to officials, the items being provided to the people on wholesale prices include, potato, onion, tomato, garlic, pumpkin, lemon, banana, apple, dates, guava, melon, wheat flour, chicken, eggs, gram pulse and gram flour.

Other vegetables, fruits and essential items are being offered on other stalls at the notified prices. “The government has almost controlled prices in model, Ramazan or Sahulat bazaars. But I am really worried about the artificial price hike by shopkeepers in the open market, where the government’s price-control mechanism is almost ineffective,” deplores a shopper. “If you start checking yourself, you will find almost every shopkeeper involved in overcharging and flouting the notified price lists,” he pointed out, urging the departments concerned to pay attention to this issue and rid people of the tyranny of vendors.

On the other hand, the Lahore city district administration claims to have taken price-control measures and ensured quality.

According to a press release, Lahore Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza says providing relief to the people is the district administration’s top priority.

The DC has also issued strict directives for controlling inflation and combat price hike during Ramazan. He has directed price control magistrates to maintain a vigilant field presence throughout the month.

He also s ordered stringent monitoring of both prices and quality of essential items, claiming the administration will ensure availability of quality essential items at reasonable rates in the model bazaars as well as the open market.

“We have adopted a zero-tolerance policy against profiteers,” he said while visiting various bazaars and markets in Lahore on Sunday. “The price gouging will not be tolerated anywhere in the city, including at Ramadan Sahulat stalls. “We will ensure excellent facilities for citizens during Ramazan, with proper security arrangements at the Ramazan bazaars,” he added.

Mr Raza said ample quantities of potato, onion, and tomato must be ensured at controlled prices. He said people may report complaints to the control room at the mobile phone number 03070002345.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2025