Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Govt unveils Rs 2 billion Ramazan Relief Package

By Ijaz Kakakhel

ISLAMABAD: The government on Tuesday unveiled its Rs 2 billion Ramazan Relief Package, under which subsidy will be provided on 13 essential items and about 1500 items would be sold on reduced rates through the Utility Stores.
Federal Minister for Industries Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi told newsmen that under the relief package, 13 main items, including atta (flour), ghee, cooking oil, gram pulses, baisan (gram flour), rice and dates, will be sold on subsidised rates during the holy month of Ramazan. He said that besides the government subsidy, the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) will sell 1500 items of daily use at 5-10 percent discounted prices by reducing its own profit and to provide relief to the marginalised segments of society.
The minister said that under the Ramazan package, the government would provide Rs 120 subsidy on a 20kg flour bag, which would be available at Rs 655 at USC outlets as compared to Rs 785 in the open market. Likewise, the price of ghee will be reduced by Rs 40 per kilogramme, that of cooking oil by Rs 30 per litre, gram pulses and baisen by Rs 20 per kg each, and dates by Rs 40 per kg, he added. Jatoi said basmati rice would be discounted by Rs 30 per kg, tea by Rs 130 per kg and milk by Rs 11 per kg.
He said the package would be applicable from Tuesday, and the USC outlets in rural areas would remain open from 9am to 7pm every day and in urban areas from 10am to 10pm to facilitate the customers. Besides its stores, the USC will provide essential commodities at controlled rates during Ramazan through mobile outlets and stalls at all Friday and Sunday Bazaars, the minister added. He said arrangements had been made to maintain smooth supply of quality commodities during the holy month. He warned the officers of USC and Ministry of Industries of strict action in case complaints of adulteration, hoarding and insufficient supply.
Jatoi said a proper mechanism of check and balance had been put in place to provide daily-use items to the masses in a transparent way. Inspection teams have been formed at zonal levels with the mandate to take swift action on any complaint, while vigilance and audit teams have been set up at zonal offices which will inspect the USC warehouses on a daily basis and report to the head office, he added.
Jatoi said that a complaint cell had been set up at the USC head office to redress the customers’ complaints, while an operation cell at the Ministry of Industries would monitor the implementation of the Ramazan Relief Package. The minister directed the USC officials to treat the customers politely and provide them the best possible services. He also urged the people to maintain discipline while making purchases at the USCs.

Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk

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