Ramazan relief package: Utility stores to provide subsidised commodities from May 2

ISLAMABAD: The state-owned utility stores will commence providing subsidised essential commodities from May 2 after formal implementation of new prices under the Ramazan relief package.

Consumers will get subsidy on 19 commodities on all branches of Utility Stores Corporation (USC) under the relief package.

According to the announcement, subsidy of Rs4 per kilogram will be given for wheat flour and Rs5 per kg for sugar, Rs15 on ghee, Rs10 on cooking oil, Rs20 on daal channa [pulse], Rs15 on daal moong, Rs10 on daal maash, Rs25 on white channa [chickpeas], Rs20 on besan [gram flour], Rs30 on dates, Rs15 on basmati and sela rice.

Moreover, the subsidy of Rs15 will be given on 1500ml bottle of beverages, Rs50 on tea leaf per kg, Rs15 on milk per kilogram and 10 per cent discount will be given on spices of all kinds.

Read More: ECC approves Rs two bln relief package for Ramazan

On April 17, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet had directed the Utility Stores Corporation to expedite the procurement of essential food items to provide timely relief to the people in the holy month of Ramazan.

A four-member Committee was also constituted headed by Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed to oversee the implementation of Ramazan Package.

Prime Minister Imran Khan had also directed the provinces and the interior ministry on April 1 to devise an effective price control mechanism and ensure availability of essential items of daily use during the holy month Ramazan.

According to a letter written by the prime minister, all the provinces were directed to form price control committees at union council and town level to stop profiteering in the holy month.

Read More: 19 essential commodities to be subsidised under Ramzan package: USC

The prime minister directed to ensure uninterrupted gas and power supply during Iftar and Sehri and asked the provinces to take foolproof security measures to avoid any untoward incident in Ramazan.

He asked the interior ministry to establish a forum to ensure coordination meetings among the provinces to tackle the shortage of particular edible items.

The prime minister directed the provinces to ensure presence of concerned officers in market to monitor prices on regular basis during the whole month.  PM Imran Khan asked the provinces to take strict action against the profiteers and the hoarders in the holy month.

He said that price control officers and  law enforcement agencies should be given magistrate powers to stop price hike of food items. The prime minister asked the provinces to set up ‘sastay Ramzan bazars’ for the convenience of people.