CHIEF Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif has issued directions for the authorities concerned to ensure provision of quality and affordable food items to people during Ramazan and establishment of special monitoring committees to keep a check on prices.

He was presiding over a meeting regarding availability of essential commodities and their prices during Ramazan at the Chief Ministerís Secretariat here on Thursday.

Shahbaz said that in the era of dearness all possible measures be taken for provision of quality commodities to the common man at reasonable prices during Ramazan. He said the Punjab government had announced a special ëRamazan packageí as well to facilitate the masses under which top quality flour would be available at subsidised rates in markets and Ramazan Bazaars. Likewise, the provision of quality vegetables and fruit would also be ensured through green channels, he said, adding that producers and manufacturers would be encouraged to set up stalls of other commodities in Ramazan Bazaars.

The CM directed the authorities concerned to negotiate with the owners of ghee factories for its supply at reduced rates during Ramazan and the masses be provided maximum relief.

He said Sasti Roti Dastarkhwan programme was going on successfully with the cooperation of the philanthropists while the destitute were being provided with meal twice a day. He said the poor would also have Sehr and Iftar facility at the Dastarkhwans. He said that talks with sugar mill owners regarding sufficient supply of the commodity and the determination of prices should be completed within a couple of days and its ample supply to people at fixed prices should be ensured. He said the best flour mills should be selected for supply of subsidised flour.

Earlier, the chief secretary, secretaries for Industries and Food departments informed the meeting about the provision of sugar, flour and other commodities during Ramazan. The meeting was told that arrangements had been made to lift 50,000 metric tonnes of sugar from the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) while talks were also underway with sugar mill owners regarding the prices and supply which would be finalised with a couple of days. The meeting was informed that best quality subsidised flour would be provided to people while a special cell had also been set up to monitor the prices.

Among others who participated in the meeting were Member Provincial Assembly Syed Zaeem Qadri and the chairman Planning and Development.