PUNJAB Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has given in-principle approval to a proposal for provision of direct financial aid to deserving families in Ramazan-ul-Mubarak. Chairing a meeting on Thursday to review relief arrangements under Ramazan package, he also decided that Ramazan bazaars will not be established due to Coronavirus situation.
For many years, Punjab Government has been announcing its own package to provide relief to the common man during the holy month when prices tend to increase significantly due to a variety of reasons. As per practice, Sasta or Ramazan bazaars were set up in different urban centres where essential items were provided to the people on subsidized rate. However, in view of the marked difference in the prices of some commonly used items at these bazaars and the open market, some unscrupulous elements used to misuse the facility that should otherwise have been availed only by disadvantaged families. There had been reports that even shopkeepers lifted these items and sold them on market price from their outlets. It was also next to impossible to set up such bazaars in all parts of the province including far-flung rural areas where bulk of the poor live. Though decision not to organize Ramazan bazaars has been taken in view of the requirement of social distancing during spread of Coronavirus but direct financial assistance to the people of the province would also help check misuse of the programme meant for the poor. Though no details have been given as to the procedure adopted for direct financial assistance but a report hinted that the provincial government was contemplating to provide relief in electricity and gas bills and a mechanism for the purpose was being worked out. This would be most appropriate consideration and in case of any hiccup the possibility of distribution of ration packages, containing essential food items, should be distributed at Union Council level where the record of deserving people is generally available.
