Commissioner Rawalpindi Division, Jodat Ayaz, has said that there will be no compromise on the defined standard for the foodstuff and price magistrates should remain alert to check the prices. The quality and prices of milk and yogurt are also being monitored while the fair price shops at the Sasta Ramadan Bazars set up by the Agriculture Department offer special discount on 19 food items. He said citizens are being provided top quality food in Ramadan Bazars and a parallel mechanism has been evolved to take action against those who are involved in artificial price hike.
He expressed these views while visiting Sasta Ramadan Bazar set up at Public Park Murree Road along with Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa, ADC (G) Maliha Jamal and other administrative officers. He inspected the quality and prices of food stuff being sold at Ramadan Bazar and said officers of the administration should visit the Ramadan Bazars and the open market to ensure that the food items are being sold at the prescribed rate list. He said every possible relief is being provided to the citizens at Sasta Ramadan Bazars according to the instructions of Chief Minister Punjab. He said a complaint cell has also been set up at Ramadan Bazars and arrangements of cleanliness, security and parking along with first aid facility has also been made. He said stall owners has been directed to display price lists at prominent places. He praised the support of business community for the setting up of Ramadan Bazars.
DC Rawalpindi Muhammad Ali Randhawa said he personally visits food and vegetable market Islamabad to monitor the auction process so that the prices could be controlled at whole sale markets and profiteering could be discouraged. He said officers of district administration and Assistant Commissioners should be more active and visit the market in Sasta Ramadan Bazars because people cannot be provided relief while sitting in cozy offices. He said traders community has provided support for the sale of items at controlled rates. He said instead of taking action against only small shopkeepers, action is also being taken against big stores which cause artificial price hike.