ISLAMABAD   -  Ministry of Industries and Production has prepared ‘Ramazan Package’ for Utility Stores Corporation (USC) for providing basic food commodities at subsidised rates during the holy month.

The ministry has estimated Rs6.37 billion for the Ramazan Package, which would be effective at USC outlets from the start of April after getting approval from the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet. Officials have informed The Nation that the government would provide subsidy of 10 to 50 per cent on 19 food items in the month of Ramazan.

The government has decided to provide subsidy worth of Rs40 per kg on sugar at USC. The commodity price would remain at Rs68 per kg in the month of Ramazan. Meanwhile, it would also provide subsidy on wheat flour by keeping its price at Rs800 per bag. The government would keep ghee price at Rs200 per kg at USC by providing subsidy of Rs43 per kg. Edible oil rate would be reduced by Rs20 per kg. Similarly, the government has decided to provide subsidy on the prices of different pulses at USC outlets. Officials have informed that government would provide subsidy of Rs15 per kg on pulse channa, Rs10 per kg each on pulse mash and moong, Rs30 per kg on masoor and Rs20 per kg on besan. The government would also provide subsidy on the prices of commodities including milk, dates, and other commodities.

Apart from 19 basic food commodities, the government would continue to provide routine subsidy of 5 to 10 per cent on other commodities at USC outlets. The ECC, which would meet under the chair of Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Abdul Hafeez Shaik, might take up the summary of ministry of industries and production regarding Ramazan Package in its meeting likely to be held today (Friday). 

Officials in finance ministry informed that government might increase the prices of three major food commodities including ghee, sugar and flour after Eidul Fitr. The ECC had recently increased the price of ghee by Rs30 per kg at Utility Stores Corporation. The ECC on February 19, 2021 had increased the price of ghee from Rs170 per kg to Rs200 per kg instead of Rs220 per kg demanded by the ministry of industries. The ministry of industries and production had also recommended increasing prices of sugar and flour. The ministry had demanded an increase in the sugar price by over 10 per cent to Rs75 per kg from the existing rate of Rs68 per kg.