The idea of setting of 'Ramazan Sasta Bazaar', failed to provide any kind of relief to inflation-hit masses in the holy month as no difference in prices of vegetable, fruits, poultry and other edible items, as compared to open market rates was witnessed. The district government has established a 'Sasta Bazaar' at interior city nearby historic chowk Yadgar, with a capacity of more than 50 stalls, but there were few stalls of vegetable, fruit, and poultry being set-up at the bazaar.
Inspite of provision of food items on subsidised rate, the commodities were selling at 10 to 15 per cent increase rate at the Ramazan Sasta Bazaars, according to a survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Saturday. The efforts to attract customers to its Sasta Bazaar have flopped to achieve the desired result as the market wore a deserted look on Saturday. Stall owners were mandated to sell items at prices fixed by the administration. Since the beginning of holy month, the Ramazan Sasta bazaar have attracted not many buyers, primarily due to the poor quality of items being sold.
The edible items are selling at the Sasta Bazaars, have no difference with prices of essential daily use item in open market, says Akram Jan, a buyer who was purchasing poultry item from the Sasta bazaar. He said idea was completely failed.
Potato is being sold at Rs 70 per kg at Sasta bazaar, which is also available at same rate in nearby vegetable market. Similarly, prices of onion, ginger, garlic, chilli and other veggies are not different from open market rates. Chicken live is available at Rs 280-300 with good weight, mango at Rs 100 per kg, banana at Rs 70-80 per dozen, apple at Rs 300 per kg. While, flour, sugar, grains, besan, species, and beverages, are unavailable in the Sasta Bazaars," the buyers said. The DCO Peshawar said 'Ramazan Sasta Bazaar' has been set up to provide relief to the citizens on the special directives of Chief Minister KP.