The district administration of Rawalpindi is working on a special initiative to help families during the holy month of Ramadan. They plan to set up 11 subsidized Ramadan markets, also called Sastay Ramzan Bazaars, in Rawalpindi city and one in each tehsil (town). These markets will offer essential food items at affordable prices, making it easier for families to shop for their needs during this blessed time.
The Agriculture Department will set up special stalls at the markets, offering items like tomatoes, potatoes, onions, gram flour, and pulses at discounted prices. These stalls will be located inside the markets and at the gates of agriculture department offices. To help with the cost of protein, the Poultry Research Institute will also set up stalls to sell subsidized chicken throughout the month of Ramadan.
Shoppers can expect to find all the items they need for daily meals, including sugar, flour, ghee, gram flour, vegetables, and fruits, all at reduced rates. The bazaars will be covered to protect customers from the sun and rain, making shopping easier and more comfortable.
The Ramadan bazaars will open on February 28, two days before Ramadan starts, and will close after Iftar (the evening meal to break the fast) on the 29th of Ramadan. These markets will be located at different places in Rawalpindi city and surrounding areas, including Committee Chowk, Haidari Chowk, Dhoke Hassu, Khayaban-e-Sir Syed, Allama Iqbal Park, Gulzar-e-Quaid, Morgah, Adiala Road, Chakri Road, Chohar Chowk, and Chungi No. 22. In addition, there will be larger bazaars in Murree, Kotli Sattian, Kahuta, Kallar Syedan, Gujar Khan, and Taxila.
To ensure that everything runs smoothly, a special team of officers from the Revenue Department, including Tehsildars and Naib Tehsildars, will be monitoring prices and making sure that no one overcharges. These officers will be temporarily appointed as price magistrates to help keep things fair. There will also be security in place with uniformed police and civil defense personnel at each market, including female officers for added safety.
The Rawalpindi administration has invited private contractors to provide essential materials like tents, chairs, tables, and steel baskets for the markets. These contractors will help create covered spaces to protect customers from rain or extreme weather. Vendors at the bazaars will be given free stalls, but any vendor caught overcharging customers will lose their stall immediately.
From the 21st of Ramadan, the bazaars will transform into Eid Bazaars. These special markets will sell festive items like clothing for children, adults, and women at affordable prices. This will make it easier for families to buy new clothes and celebrate the upcoming Eid festival without breaking the bank.
The Punjab government has also planned to set up separate stalls outside the bazaars to sell subsidized sugar and flour, which are important staple foods during Ramadan. The Chief Minister of Punjab is expected to announce a special Ramzan package to provide even more support to families, ensuring that everyone has access to essential goods at affordable prices.
This initiative is an excellent opportunity for families in Rawalpindi to save money during the holy month of Ramadan while still getting everything they need. The subsidized bazaars will provide a wide range of affordable items, making Ramadan shopping easier and more budget-friendly for all.
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