LAHORE: The Punjab Model Bazaar Management Company (PMBMC) has decided to provide relief to the public before Eid-ul-Adha by increasing the number of sahulat stalls in Model Bazaar across the province, Pakistan Today learnt on Monday.
According to the details, the company is giving a subsidy of Rs5 to Rs20 on more than 85 items, including fruits and vegetables which according to the rate lists are being sold at less than the official rates.
Nawab Bibi, a woman who had come to Johar Town’s Model Bazaar for groceries, told this scribe that she had done groceries from the bazaar for a whole week. “Johar Town has a large number of grocery stores, fruit and vegetable shops but the price rates are high. It is very difficult to get things at official rates in this area. The cleanliness in the model bazaars is good and the quality is the same as described here.”
Aslam Naqi, who was also visiting the Model Bazaar in Johar Town, said it was a good place for shopping during the coronavirus pandemic.
“The management of Model Bazaar ensures that shopkeepers and customers wear masks and take care of social distances. The rate of mango on carts and shops outside is Rs150 to Rs200 per kg while the same mango is available here at a price of Rs100. Vegetable prices are also cheaper than the general market. It is normal for the prices of vegetables and fruits to go up before Eid, but here things are available at less than the official rates,” he said.
An official of PMBMC told Pakistan Today that the company was self-sufficient. “Expenses such as staff salaries, utility bills, operational expenses and routine repairs/maintenance etc. are met from savings and no funds are demanded from the government for this purpose. These bazaars also provide recreational facilities for children at a very low cost ranging from Rs20 to Rs60. The profit obtained from profitable bazaars is also used to finance the bazaars which are not sustainable. These bazaars are independent of the bazaars operated and managed by the local governments such as Sunday, Friday and Ramzan Bazaars. In total at present 32 Bazaars are operational in different cities of Punjab.”
The official further said, “Provision of daily consumer goods to the general public in a decent environment is a fundamental objective of Model Bazaars and at the same time, providing a business platform to lower and middle class families is yet another defining trait of the Model Bazaars. These Model Bazaars welcome lower and middle class entrepreneurs to run their business in a respectable manner. Customers of the bazaars and stall holders are further facilitated with free electricity, free parking, shopping trolleys, and clean drinking water, sanitation and security services.”
When asked about the expansion of such Bazars in other cities, the official replied, “PMBMC is fully geared up to establish Model Bazaars in other districts where no such bazaars exist subject to provision of free of cost state land provided by the District Government. PMBMC has also approached district governments for provision of free of cost state land for the establishment of Model Bazaars in the areas.”
