Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Wednesday, 17th March, approved the establishment of Punjab Sahulat Bazaar Authority (PSBA) whereas he disbanded the Punjab Model Bazar Management Company.
Read More: Relief package of Rs7.8 billion announced for Ramadan
During a meeting, it was decided that the CM would be the patron-in-chief of the authority while Industries Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal would perform duties as its chairperson. The setting up of such bazaars all over Punjab was decided during the meeting.
The CM said the land identification process be completed at the earliest so that Sahulat bazaars could be set up as soon as possible in different districts.
He affirmed that kissan platforms would be established in these bazaars to facilitate the farmers. He also said that the facility would also be extended down to tehsil level for round-the-year provision of subsidized items. This would increase the outreach of the subsidy policy of the government.
“The facility of Sahulat bazaars will rid the people of price hikes,” he said. He also added that “More than 400 Sahulat bazaars will be established by the authority to provide flour and other essential items at notified rates.”
In other news, a delegation of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), led by former president Mian Anjum Nisar and Senior Vice President Shahzeb Akram, urged the Chief Minister to discuss problems being faced by the industrialists in the province.
Mr. Buzdar assured the delegation that genuine problems of the business community would be addressed without any delay. He said, “Another corona wave has surfaced now and the government understands the genuine issues of the business community under the current situation. A focal person will be deputed in the CM Office to help resolve problems of the business community,”
Recently, a Ramadan Package worth Rupees 7.6 billion has been approved by The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) to grant relief to the marginalized community during the holy month.
For this, subsidies on 19 essential items at the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) were approved around the country. Technical grants for seven different institutions were also approved.
Read More: Government’s priority is to control the prices of necessities-Minister
According to the relief package, the subsidized items found in the utility stores include wheat flour, sugar, ghee, oil, pulses (channa, moong, mash), besan, rice, tea, milk, etc. The Ramadan relief package will continue till the Eid moon sighting.