Consumers find little relief

Rawalpindi : The government run Ramazan ‘Sasta’ Bazaars have failed to attract consumers because public was finding little relief from them.

It seems that local management has considered issue of rate fixing in Ramazan ‘Sasta’ Bazaars ‘roughly’ as cheap quality banana was being sold at Rs170 while fine quality banana was available in the open market at Rs180-Rs200.

Last year, fine quality banana was available at Rs100 in Ramazan ‘Sasta’ Bazaars while in open market shop it was selling at Rs200-Rs250. Poor quality peach is selling at Rs150 in ‘sasta’ bazaars while fine quality peach is available in the open market at Rs200. Fine quality apple at ‘sasta’ bazaars is selling at Rs350 per kilogram and cheap quality apple at Rs90 while the rate of fine quality apple in the open market is Rs350 and cheap quality at Rs120.

Similarly, poor quality dates are available in ‘sasta bazaars at Rs200 while fine quality in the open market are selling at Rs240. Poor quality mango is selling at ‘sasta’ bazaars at Rs150 while fine quality mango in open market shops at Rs200.

No doubt, majority of poor are getting big relief in ‘Atta’ bags at ‘sasta’ bazaars’ as 10-kilogram flour bag is selling at Rs250. It also seems sasta bazaars have become recreational spot for visitors as majority of them visit for window shopping instead of making purchases.

The Ramazan ‘sasta’ Bazaars have been established here in Committee Chowk, Shamsabad, Haidri Chowk, Gulzar-e-Quaid, Adiala Road, Chur, Chungi No.22 and Rehmanabad.

The reliable sources said that local management officials are not taking these bazaars seriously as they know that PML-N government will complete its tenure after nine days on May 30. “Who will look after these ‘sasta’ bazaars after May 30, God knows better, the sources said.

Only 10 per cent consumers could get relief from ‘sasta bazaars’ while 90 per cent public was on the sweet will of open market shopkeepers for looting them with both hands. Price Control Committee (Secretary) Nazar Hussain told ‘The News’ that bazaars are being set up on the special directives of Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif. “The citizens will be able to purchase all kitchen items including flour, sugar, grains, basin, meat, chicken, onion, potatoes, ghee and other products of daily use at subsidised rates, which will be less than the open market. Similarly fresh vegetables, fruit and dates would also be available in ‘sasta’ bazaars,” he added.

He also said that they were continuously taking action against profiteers and hoarders in ‘Ramazan Bazaars’ and in open market shops.

Talking to ‘The News’ people belong to different walks of life said that Punjab government should set up more ‘sasta’ bazaars in every area of Rawalpindi to provide maximum relief to poor people. They said that it was impossible for them to approach 'sasta bazaars' which were at some distance from their homes. Secondly, there should be big price difference in 'sasta’ bazaars' and open market.