Sardar Usman Buzdar, Chief Minister of Punjab (CM) has recommended not to settle Ramzan-Bazaars anywhere in Punjab due to the current situation with COVID-19.
The announcement was made by Food Minister Abdul Aleem Khan at a high-level meeting of the Punjab Cabinet Committee on Wednesday, involving the participation of senior members of the Finance Committee and Secretaries of Agriculture, Industry, Livestock and Food Departments.
The meeting was informed that Deputy Commissioners (DCs) from 30 Punjab districts had also voted against setting up Ramzan bazaars because the district governments had their full purchase of wheat and coronavirus activities.
The food minister said daily items should not be sold through trucks and shops, but that steps should be taken to provide direct cash support to citizens, which the prime minister will give final approval on Thursday.
He said people would be relieved immediately at all costs. “However, we must always monitor security measures and no one can endanger his life,” he added.
He praised the Ramzan package and said it was about two million families, i.e. 1.25 million people who would benefit the province.
He said the federal government and the Punjab government are already providing various forms of financial support to people and this “Ramadan package” would be a new step by the Punjab government to relieve people and it would ensure that those families who have not received financial support.
At the meeting, Raja Muhammad Basharat, Punjab Justice Minister, Finance Minister Hashim Jawan Bakhat and Industry Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal said that special measures should be taken to minimize the problems of ordinary people, especially in Ramzan.
They agreed that there should be no activities that could endanger the lives of others.
Several options, including cash direct deductions, works bills, etc., were discussed, while meeting participants also presented their suggestions for possible deductions during the month of Ramzan.
The Cabinet Committee’s recommendations are presented to the Prime Minister, after which the district administration and other government agencies can quickly distribute aid to the poor.
