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USC announces Eid package to provide Rs 300-400m subsidy

* Prices of various products to be reduced at Utility Stores
* Policy to ensure sugar supply over next 35 days finalised

By Ijaz Kakakhel

ISLAMABAD: The Utility Stores Corporation (USC) of Pakistan unveiled an Eid package on Wednesday to provide a subsidy of Rs 300-to-Rs 400 million to over 400 units.

USC Managing Director Muhammad Arif Khan told a press conference that the government had announced the Eid package with a price difference of Rs 2-to-Rs 163 from the market to benefit the masses. He said the reduced prices would remain in effect from November 20 to December 5 for a total of 15 days.

Citing an example to highlight the difference in prices, he said while a 5-kilogramme bag of ‘Tullo Ghee’ would cost Rs 605 at utility stores, the same was available in the market at a price of Rs 634 per 5-kilogramme bag.

Arif said the USC had also formed a policy for the supply of sugar over the next 35 days: 107,000.metric tonnes of the essential would be distributed through the corporation’s network across the country. Of the total quantity, he said 13,000 metric tonnes had been imported at rates higher than the market price, but “this stock he will also be sold for Rs 38 per kilogramme to benefit the general public”.

About the timing for sugar sales at utility stores, Arif said the essential would be sold from 10am to 4pm on the basis of first come first served. Around 175-200 2-kilogramme bags of sugar would be supplied to stores depending on the population of various areas, he said, adding that super stores would be provided 500-700 packets of sugar.

In a bid to ensure the smooth supply of the essential, he said all district coordination officers and chief secretaries had been provided details of the sugar stock, prices and other plans for the next 35 days.

He said 2-kilogramme sugar packets would also be made available at Sunday and Friday bazaars at Rs 38 a kilogramme, but only one bag would be sold to each customer. Arif said the government was also considering the sale of unpacked sugar.

The USC managing director said nine teams of senior USC officials had been formed to monitor stores in various parts of the country. “Strict action will be taken against officials involved in black marketing products,” he said.

Replying to a question, he said 25 people from various stores had been dismissed, and disciplinary action was underway against another 350. He said a complaint cell had been set up at the USC headquarters in Islamabad. About safety of utility stores in FATA, the managing director said all stores in the Tribal Areas were operating on a franchise basis. “All the products being sold by them are owned by investors”.

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