ISLAMABAD - The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet on Wednesday finalised the prices of essential food commodities at Utility Stores Corporation (USC) outlets during the holy month of Ramazan. The prices of food items at utility stores will be decreased by Rs 4 to Rs 40 per kilogram. The ECC, which met here under the chair of its chairman Federal Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, approved the prices of essential food commodities available at USC outlets during Ramazan. The ECC had approved the Ramazan package in its last meeting. The government has allocated Rs 2 billion for the Ramazan package in the annual budget 2011-2012. According to the package, the government has decided to give subsidy of Rs 6 on per kg flour which will be available at Rs 22.50 per kg at USC as compared to Rs 28.50 per kg in the open market. Meanwhile, per kg ghee will be available at Rs 147 at USC against the open market rate of Rs 170 to Rs 175, per kg price of dal channa will be available at Rs 67 against open market rate of Rs 78 to Rs 80, per kg price of white gram has been fixed at Rs 132 against Rs 150 to Rs 155 and the price of dall mong has been set at Rs 122 as compared to the open market price of Rs 135 to Rs 140. Similarly, per kg price of dall mash has been fixed at Rs 128, baisen (chakki) Rs 63, dates (khajoor) Rs 110 and per kg price of rice basmati has been fixed at Rs 74 according to the Ramazan package. Meanwhile, syrups (sharbat and bottles) prices have reduced to Rs 245 from Rs 260, squashes (bottles) prices to Rs 106 from Rs 127, tea (190 gram) prices to Rs 495 from Rs 540 and the price of milk tetra pack has been reduced to Rs 70 from Rs 76 per kg in the open market. The summaries that were discussed in todays meeting included subsidy on sale of wheat in Gilgit Baltistan. The ECC in principle agreed with the request and formed a committee to devise the system by which the subsidy could be implemented and ensured that the locals may get the benefit instead of stockers and hoarders. On the summaries moved by the ministry of industries, the committee constituted a committee headed by the finance minister to have further deliberations on import of urea for Kharif 2011 and Rabi 2011-12. The committee includes Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Water and Power, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Dr Asim Hussain, Minister for Petroleum and Secretary Industries who would have further discussions for the import of urea for Kharif and Rabi 2011-12. The ECC approved the request made by the minister of water and power for the waiver of demurrage and detention charges for 425 MW Combined Cycle Power Project at Nandipur being implemented by the Northern Power Generation Company provided the law division also approves. In case the law division raises objections, the matter shall be referred to the cabinet for further discussion. It may be mentioned here that machinery for the power generation is lying at the Karachi Port whose authorities are asking for the proper follow up of the procedure for the release of this consignment. It may be mentioned here that the government of Pakistan has approved 425 MW Combined Cycle Power Project Nandipur, District Gujranwala, in the ECC meeting held on December 27, 2007, at an agreed price of 329 million dollars. However, it was subject to the ministry of finance provision of guarantee for the loan of 329 million dollars. On the request for the purchase of 50,000 metric tons sugar from Pakistan Sugar Mills Association, the ECC was of the view that in the wake of the satisfactory situation of the strategic reserves, procurement is more so ever not required till December. However, the ECC chairman besides agreeing for the non-procurement of 50,000 metric tons decided for a smaller meeting in this regard with him within next two days with the authorities concerned.