Islamabad - Federal Minister for Industries Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi Tuesday unveiled the Ramazan relief package worth of Rs two billion wherein basic food commodities would be available at subsidised rates at state-run Utility Stores Corporation (USC) outlets during the holy month.
Addressing a press briefing here, Federal Ministries for Industries Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi said that government would provide 1,500 commodities at subsidized rates at USC during the holy month of Ramazan at 5,800 stores. Talking about the Ramazan package, the federal minister said that 20 kg flour bag (atta) would be available at Rs 655 at USC stores against the open market price of Rs Rs 775. “Price of vegetable ghee will be reduced by Rs 40 per kg bag at USC as compare to the open market and cooking oil price is lesser by Rs 30 per kg at against open market price”. Price of gram pulse and baisen has been decreased by Rs 20 per kg each and dates by Rs 40 per kg at state run stores, he said and added that rice basmati would be discounted by Rs 30 per kg, tea by Rs 130 per kg and milk by Rs 11 per kg at USC during the month of Ramazan.
“Utility Stores Corporation will sell 1,500 items of daily use at 5-10 per cent discounted prices, reducing its own profit margin for providing relief to the marginalised segments of the society at 5,800 USC throughout the country”, said Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi. The minister said that Ramazan package would effective from (Tuesday) at USC stores. He also said that USC outlets would remain open from 9 AM hours to 7PM in rural areas daily and in urban areas from 10AM to 10pm to facilitate the customers in the holy month of Ramazan.
He said arrangements had been made to maintain smooth supply of quality commodities during the holy month. He warned the officers of USC and Ministry of Industries of strict action in case complaints of adulteration, hoarding and insufficient supply.
The Minister of Industries informed the media that government has constituted monitoring and inspection committees, which would look after the issue of hoarding, profiteering, shortage of commodities at stores. The committees would immediately take action if anything goes wrong during the month of Ramazan. He further added proper mechanism of check and balance had been put in place to provide daily-use items to the masses in a transparent way.
Murtaza Jatoi informed that government has constituted a complaint cell at USC headquarter under the supervision of General Manager.