TAXILA: The district administration has established a Sahulat bazaar in Attock to provide essential items, including vegetables, fruits and meat, to the consumers at subsidised rates.

The bazaar was inaugurated by deputy commissioner (DC) Rao Atif Raza on Tuesday.

Assistant Commissioner Shagufta Jabeen on the occasion informed him about facilities being provided to shoppers in the market and check over quality and prices.

Mr Raza inspected different sections of the bazaar, including the complaint desk, fruit and vegetable stalls, and checked the quality and availability of flour, sugar and pulses.

The DC also inspected the supply and quality of essential commodities in the bazaar.

He directed the authorities concerned to ensure uninterrupted supply of flour, sugar, vegetables and fruits at these bazaars, adding no compromise would be made on the rates fixed by the government.

He asked them to take action against hoarders and profiteers causing price hike so that essential food items were available to consumers on notified prices.

“Officials concerned should keep a strict check on prices, demand and supply of food items in the Sahulat bazaars as well as in the open market.”

Talking to newsmen, Mr Raza said Sahulat bazaars would also be established at the tehsil level.

He said growers should be encouraged to sell their produce directly at the farmers’ platforms at Sahulat bazaars without involvement of a middleman and required facilities should be provided to them as it would help ensure availability of fruits and vegetables at concessionary rates.

Responding to a question, Mr Raza said the provincial authorities and district administration were making efforts to provide essential commodities at controlled rates through Sahulat bazaars. He added that the Sahulat bazaars were an initiative to provide relief to the masses.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2023