PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has planned to establish 83 sasta bazaars and 52 kissan markets across the province for Ramazan to sell essential edible items at rates lower than the market’s.

It will also form a committee comprising home and food secretaries and provincial police chief to ensure inter-provincial coordination for uninterrupted supply of those items during the fasting month.

These measures are to be taken under the Ramazan Strategy, which was discussed during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mahmood Khan here on Friday.

Special assistant to the chief minister on information Kamran Bangash, chief secretary Dr Kazim Niaz, provincial police chief Dr Sanaullah Abbasi, secretaries of the relevant departments, and commissioners and deputy commissioners of all districts attended the meeting.

Under the Ramazan Strategy, scores of administrative measures and interventions will be carried out at provincial, divisional and district levels in the province to provide the maximum possible relief in prices to the people during the fasting month.

According to a statement issued here, the government has tasked the police’s Special Branch with keeping an eye on hoarding of essential items in the province, while a control room will be established at the home department to ensure smooth execution of the Ramazan Strategy.

Govt promises smooth supply of essential items in fasting month

Also, a mobile app, Ramazan Marastyal, will be launched for ‘tech-driven approach’ for price control and resolution of people’s complaints about prices.

The chief minister approved the Ramazan Strategy and directed district administrations to ensure its implementation.

He said he would monitor all related matters to ensure the provision of the maximum relief in prices of essential items to the people during Ramazan.

Mr Mahmood said strict action would be taken against hoarders.

He directed deputy commissioners to make all shelter homes completely functional in their respective districts.

The chief minister lauded the role of bureaucracy and district administration for good governance and fight against Covid-19 but said that should be improved.

He asked the district administrations to enforce standard operating procedures to stem the spread of coronavirus in the third wave, especially the use of face mask by the people.

Earlier, the relevant officials told the meeting that 83 sasta bazaars would be established across the province, including 17 in Hazara region, 18 in Malakand region, 15 in Peshawar/Mardan region, 14 in southern region and 19 in merged tribal districts, where wheat flour, vegetables, ghee, oil, milk, sugar, chicken, pulses, rice, fruits, dates and other essential items would be sold at prices lower than the market’s.

They said the chambers of commerce and industry, dealers and wholesalers at both provincial and district levels would be engaged to ensure the provision of essential commodities to the people at discounted rates across the province.

The officials said under the Ramazan Strategy, ministers and the chief minister’s advisers and special assistants had been asked to monitor the availability, quality and prices of essential items in sasta bazaars and Kissan markets in their respective districts and submit reports in that respect to the chief minister on a regular basis.

Also, the Security and Traffic Management Plan will be developed by the relevant district police officers, while a mechanism will be introduced for coordination with the federal government ensure uninterrupted electric supply to the people during sehar and iftar hours all through Ramazan.

The officials said religious scholars would be engaged at provincial, district and tehsil levels to ensure the implementation of coronavirus-related SOPs during Taraweeh prayers.

They also told the meeting that a dedicated rapid response team would be constituted for the speedy resolution of the people’s complaints received through Ramazan Marastyal mobile app, whereas monitoring bodies would be established in home, food and agriculture departments.

The officials said the provincial government would launch the Meals on Wheels programme during Ramazan with the help of the federal government to serve the needy people, while financial assistance would also be provided to them under the Ehsas Programme during the fasting month.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2021