RAWALPINDI: The Metropolitan Corporation Rawalpindi (MCR) has launched a scheme to provide low-cost kiosks and pushcarts to small vendors.
According to the details, the kiosks costing Rs. 50,000 to 60,000.will be given in easy monthly installments. The kiosks will be prepared in partnership with a non-governmental organization (NGO) and will be given to needy people on soft loans.
The design of the food cart has pictures of food items including vegetables and fruits with the MCR monogram and a large portrait of Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar.
In this regard, the Rawalpindi Municipality has prepared a list of 600 people on a trial basis after conducting a survey in the city. About 100 people will be given the food kiosks in the first phase.
The first phase of the projecting will be launched in collaboration with Akhuwat Foundation and will receive funding from the World Bank. The kiosks will be registered with the anti-encroachment department.
Metropolitan Officer (Regulation) Imran Ali said that practical work on the project has been started on the instructions of Commissioner Rawalpindi. He said initially the kiosks will be provided to 70 to 100 persons through lottery and later they will be given in easy installments.
When contacted, the Akhwat Foundation refused to provide any details and said the project has not started on which no information can be given. However, a model of the food cart has been sent to the Rawalpindi Metropolitan Corporation which was approved.
It was informed the kiosks with help from philanthropists and corporations. At present, a food cart costs Rs. 35,000 to 40,000 which is being provided free cost. After Rawalpindi, the project will also be introduced in Lahore.
 He said that Commissioner Rawalpindi Capt (retd) Muhammad Mahmood had announced free registration of all food carts and kiosks within the limits of the municipality at a meeting held last week.
The rate list will be displayed prominently on the kiosks. The vendors will be issued health cards and the name, address and details of the items sold will also be kept on record of each registered food cart.
