Punjab govt bans governmental Iftar dinner
LAHORE (92 News) – The Punjab government on Tuesday banned governmental Iftar dinner across the province.
Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar issued an official order to ban Iftar which was arranged on the state’s expenses. “We are the warden of national resources and austerity is the basic element of our policy,” the chief minister said.
According to the order, the ban will be applicable for all the ceremonies of all the ministers, advisers and secretaries including all the governmental officials across Punjab.
The Punjab chief minister said that the public needs to realize that their money would be only spent on them, while putting an end to the practice of officials enjoying free Iftar on government’s finances.
On the other hand, Usman Buzdar visited Sadiqabad’s Sasta Ramazan bazaar and expressed satisfaction on the availability of the essential items for daily usage on the cheap rates.
A day earlier, in a statement issued from his office, CM Usman Buzdar directed the concerned authorities for a strict monitoring of Ramazan Bazars and added that he himself would personally visit the Ramazan Bazars and would review the arrangements.
PM approves Rs2bn Ramazan relief package for essential items: Firdous
Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on Monday said that Prime Minister Imran Khan announced a Rs2 billion Ramazan package under which essential items would be provided to the people on cheaper rates at the Utility Stores.
Addressing a news conference along with Managing Director Utility Stores Corporation Umer Lodhi, the minister said that 19 essential items of daily use will be available in all outlets of Utility Stores Corporation at subsidized rates for the people during the holy month of Ramadan.
“19 essential commodities, including pulses, rice, cooking oil, and sugar are being provided on subsidized rates at about two thousand Utility Stores outlets,” she said.
Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said Prime Minister Imran Khan is cognizant of the hardships faced by the people and has especially directed to provide two billion rupees as relief package to the USC for subsidizing the rates of essential items.
Giving details, the Special Assistant said a subsidy of 95 rupees will be provided on a 20 kg bag of flour at the Utility Stores which will cost 700 rupees to the consumers.
Similarly, a subsidy of 5 rupees per kg on sugar, 10 rupees per litre on edible oil, 25 rupees per kg on chick peas, 30 rupees per kg on dates, 15 rupees per kg on rice, 50 rupees per kg on tea and 15 rupees per kg on milk will be given.
