The city district administration of Lahore has set up 32 Ramazan/model bazaars in various localities of the provincial metropolis. This is an effort by the Punjab government to offer some relief to the inflation-hit masses.

Ramazan bazaars have become a regular feature in the city. Many years ago, the then chief minister, Shehbaz Sharif, started the tradition that has continued since. These makeshift bazaars provide subsided food items to the citizens, under the supervision of the district administration. Deputy Commissioner Omar Sher Chattha, who has already constituted teams for establishment of the bazaars in the city, is in charge of these bazaars.

Of the 32 Ramazan bazaars that have been set up in the city, nine fall in the City tehsil, four in Raiwind, another four in Shalimar, nine in Model Town, and six in Cantonment. Additionally, ten model bazaars and three Sunday bazaars have also been given the status of Ramazan bazaars to provide relief to the citizens.

Special stalls of flour and sugar have been set up at suitable places at these bazaars. Last year the opposition had criticised the Punjab government for causing endlessly long queues at the flour and sugar stalls. Stampedes that followed were the result of the administration’s policy of capping the purchase of flour and sugar.

Sher Chattha has directed all assistant commissioners to visit the Ramazan bazaars in the respective tehsils. He has also ordered them to ensure that the Ramazan bazaars are fully functional by March 27.

Of the 32 Ramazan bazaars which have been set up in the city, nine fall in the City tehsil, four in Raiwind, another four in Shalimar, nine in Model Town, and six in Cantonment. Additionally, 10 model bazaars and 3 Sunday bazaars have also been given the status of Ramazan bazaars to provide relief to the citizens.

This year, the city district administration is expected to monitor these bazaars using CCTV cameras. The idea is to ensure that the citizens get to avail the facilities that include proper seating and cleanliness. Special fair price shops will also be monitored through the CCTV cameras.

The Ramazan bazaars have been set up at Chowk Begum Kot, Shahdara; Mochi Gate Ground; Elahi Bakhsh Road and Badami Bagh. Model bazaars have come up at Thokar Niaz Baig and in Sabzazar. In the Samanabad Zone, the Ramazan bazaars have been established at Gulshan-i-Ravi, Moon Market and Nadeem Shaheed Road.

In the Data Ganj Bakhsh Zone, the bazaars have been set up at Karim Park Ground and Baba Ground, Islampura. In Cantt tehsil, bazaars have been set up in Gulberg and Walton areas.

Ramazan bazaars have also been set up on Bedian Road in Wagha Zone, whereas a model bazaar in Aziz Bhatti Zone will be set up on Harbanspura Road; Athar Abbas Park, Tajpura; and Burki Road.

In Model Town tehsil, Ramazan bazaars have been set up near Makkah Colony, Barkat Market and Ghalib Market Cricket Ground, Nishtar Colony and Kahna Nou. Model bazaars are to be found in Wahdat Colony; near Girls College, in Shadman; close to Wapda Grid Station, and Q-Block Model Town near Dhalla Flats.

Citizens feel that the district administration should also ensure the availability of fresh and quality food products including vegetables, fruits and meat besides ensuring implementation of the official price list.

The writer is a city reporter at The News