No Ramzan Bazaars in Punjab this Year: CM Usman Buzdar
The Chief Minister of Punjab, Sardar Usman Buzdar, has announced that Ramzan bazaars will not be set up in any part of the province this year due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation. This decision was made in a high-level meeting of the Punjab Cabinet Committee, which included senior members of the Finance Committee and Secretaries of various departments such as Agriculture, Industry, Livestock, and Food.
Reasons Behind the Decision
The meeting was informed that Deputy Commissioners from 30 districts of Punjab had also voted against setting up Ramzan bazaars. The main reason behind this decision is that the district governments have already made full purchases of wheat, and the current coronavirus situation does not allow for large gatherings. Additionally, the focus is on providing direct cash support to citizens, which will be finalized by the Prime Minister on Thursday.
Alternative Support Measures
According to Food Minister Abdul Aleem Khan, daily items should not be sold through trucks and shops, but instead, steps should be taken to provide direct cash support to citizens. This move aims to provide immediate relief to people, while also ensuring that security measures are in place to prevent any danger to human life. The Minister praised the Ramzan package, which will benefit around 1.25 million people, i.e., two million families, in the province.
The federal government and the Punjab government are already providing various forms of financial support to people, and this “Ramadan package” is a new step by the Punjab government to relieve people. The package ensures that families who have not received financial support yet will also be covered.
Ministers’ Recommendations
At the meeting, several ministers, including Raja Muhammad Basharat, Punjab Justice Minister, Finance Minister Hashim Jawan Bakhat, and Industry Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal, recommended taking special measures to minimize the problems of ordinary people, especially during Ramzan. They agreed that there should be no activities that could endanger the lives of others.
Various options, including cash direct deductions and works bills, were discussed, and meeting participants presented their suggestions for possible deductions during the month of Ramzan. The Cabinet Committee’s recommendations will be presented to the Prime Minister, after which the district administration and other government agencies can quickly distribute aid to the poor.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Why have Ramzan bazaars been cancelled in Punjab? A: Ramzan bazaars have been cancelled due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation, which does not allow for large gatherings.
- Q: What alternative support measures are being taken? A: The government is providing direct cash support to citizens, and a Ramzan package will benefit around 1.25 million people in the province.
- Q: Who will receive the financial support? A: Families who have not received financial support yet will also be covered under the Ramzan package.
The government’s decision to cancel Ramzan bazaars and provide alternative support measures aims to ensure the safety and well-being of citizens during the holy month of Ramzan. The distribution of aid to the poor will be carried out quickly, and the government will continue to monitor the situation to take any necessary measures.
