'Sasta Bazaars' providing relief during Ramadan

Islamabad - Consumers said they were happy to see a substantial difference in the prices of veggies and fruits during this month.

Sasta Bazaars have been providing a big relief to consumers by selling edible items at affordable prices in different parts of country during the holy month of Ramadan.A report aired by PTV News said that the Sasta Bazaars, a yearly initiative of the government, have not only broken the monopoly of profiteers in the fruit and vegetable market but also kept the prices of fruit and veggies elsewhere under astrictcontrol.Consumers said they were happy to see a substantial difference in the prices of veggies and fruits during this month.
"When I compare the prices with what they used to be in the first few days of Ramadan, I feel as if I am buying for free," remarked Ahmed Shahzad, holding bags of veggies and fruits in local Sasta Bazar.When asked, vendors said even at this price they were making a good profit and not incurring loss-es. "I daily bring a truckload of fruits from different towns of the Punjab and I earn a good amount of money from my sales at the rates fixed by the district administration on a daily basis," said Kashif Mohmmed, 62, a vendor."These Bazaars have also influenced the big markets, as shop-keepers there found themselves bound to sell their commodities at reasonable prices in order to keep their businesses going," an official Asim Bukhari said.
A price list issued for Saturday's Sasta Bazaars shows that the rates of most fruits and vegetables were much lower as compared to the open market.The customers visiting weekly Bazaars, at the same time have appealed to the officials concerned to ensure stall holders, particularly those selling fruits, adhere to the price list issued by the district ad-ministration.They said during Ramadan, profiteers and some other elements including middlemen, in their greed for wealth, create problems for the common people.

• Pakistan