The Punjab government has launched a special sugar subsidy program for Ramadan, allowing people to buy sugar at a discounted rate of Rs. 130 per kilogram. However, to ensure fair distribution, each household can only purchase up to 5 kilograms per CNIC from designated Ramadan bazaars.
While this move aims to prevent hoarding and ensure that more people get access to affordable sugar, many families have raised concerns that the limit is not enough, especially for larger households. The tracking system, which requires ID cards for purchases, has sparked debates among the public, as they feel it does not fully consider household needs during the holy month.
According to Arif Gujjar, President of the Kiryana Merchant Association, sugar prices in the open market have risen to Rs. 170 per kilogram and might increase further due to hoarding and artificial price hikes. This has made the government’s subsidized sugar even more crucial for people struggling with high prices.
Punjab’s Information Minister, Azma Bukhari, has defended the policy, highlighting that 80 Ramadan bazaars have been set up across the province, with 10 of them in Lahore alone. She emphasized that the government is focused on providing relief while ensuring that sugar distribution remains fair and controlled.
For those who need more sugar beyond the limit, model bazaars are selling it at Rs. 140 per kilogram without any purchase restrictions. This gives consumers an alternative, though prices are still higher than the subsidized rate.
Despite the government’s efforts, the debate over sugar affordability and availability continues, with many people worried about rising costs and limited supplies during the holy month. The initiative may help some, but the overall impact depends on how well the distribution system manages public demand.
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