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USC to give Rs 1 billion subsidy on sugar

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The government would provide subsidy of one billion rupees on sugar to ensure its availability at Rs 38 per kilogramme at all Utility Stores Corporation outlets, Managing Director Utility Stores Corporation, Arif Khan said.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, he said that the government through, Trading Corporation of Pakistan, has provided the USC about 54,000 metric tonnes of sugar that would be distributed to all USC outlets across the country.

Out of total 54,000 tonnes of sugar purchased, 41,000 tonnes have been imported at Rs 65 per kilogramme, he said, adding that this would be sold at Rs 38 by USC, hence providing subsidy of Rs 27 per kg to the domestic consumer.

He said that USC outlets would sell sugar from 1300 hours to 1500 hours daily.

The MD, however, admitted that out of 62 USC regions, sugar was not available in 36 regions, creating nuisance among the people. Mr Khan said that the management has sacked 35 employees and suspended 500 others for showing negligence in serving the people. He said FIR has been lodged against 12 employees of the corporation for their involvement in corruption.

He said a mechanism would be evolved to ensure transparency and provision of sugar to the people adding that the USC management would keep checking that the commodity is not being sold to hoarders and profiteers.

Mr Khan said Mystery Shopping Company has been hired to conduct surprise visit to USC outlets to check the functioning of these outlets and availability of the commodities.

“Inspectors of these companies would be disguising themselves as an ordinary customers to properly see what actually is happening at USC outlets,” he added.

Arif Khan said that 20,000 metric tonnes of sugar would be distributed in NWFP through USC network, about 5354 metric tonnes for Balochistan and 14,240 metric tonnes sugar would be distributed during 30-40 days in Sindh. In Punjab 29,678 metric tonnes sugar would be distributed during this period.

The USC has divided the country into 9 zones including AJK, and Northern Ares to provide the commodity at controlled rates.

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