USC asked to ensure availability of basic food items at subsidised rates in Ramazan

ISLAMABAD – Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh on Monday directed the managing director of Utility Stores Corporation (USC) to ensure the availability of basic food commodities at subsidised rates during the month of Ramazan. 

The government has recently approved Rs7.8 billion for the Ramazan Relief Package, which would be effective from April, 2021 at all USC outlets throughout the country. Under the Ramazan Relief Package, the government would provide subsidy of 10 to 50 percent on 19 basic food commodities including wheat flour, ghee and sugar at USC.  

Finance minister, while chairing a weekly meeting of National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC), appreciated the provision of basic items by the Utility Stores Corporation at subsidised rates and directed MD USC to ensure availability of essential items at respective outlets across the country.

The NPMC reviewed the price trend of essential commodities especially wheat flour, sugar, tomatoes, vegetable ghee, chicken and eggs during the last week. The weekly SPI recorded a decrease of 0.57% wherein prices of 07 basic items registered a decline and 18 commodities remained stable.

The overall release position of wheat was reviewed during the meeting. The Committee directed Secretary NFS&R to hold a meeting with chief ministers of all provinces to keep a check on the prices of wheat flour to avoid any artificial price hike. The finance minister directed to ensure smooth supply of wheat at affordable prices across the country. 

Ministry of Industries and Production updated the Committee that the sugarcane crushing season has ended. The overall production is higher as compared to the last year. The Finance minister directed provincial governments and other stakeholders to provide estimates regarding additional demand for sugar to the Ministry of Industries & Production for effective planning during the current year. 

NFS&R secretary directed to hold meeting with CMs to keep check on price of wheat flour to avoid any artificial price hike

Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar apprised that the Ministry is already working on various measures for provision of ghee/oil at reasonable price. Moreover, the Utility Stores Corporation would ensure availability of ghee at a subsidized price under “Ramadan Relief Package” through its chain of outlets during the holy month. It is worth mentioning here that the government has decided to keep ghee price at Rs170 per kg at USC by providing subsidy. Earlier, the ministry of Industries and Production recommended to fix ghee price at Rs200 per kg during the month of Ramazan. However, Prime Minister asked not to increase the ghee prices at USC and keep it at Rs170 per kg. 

The finance minister reiterated commitment of the government to provide maximum relief to the general public through provision of basic commodities at fair prices, he concluded. 

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam, Federal Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar, SAPM on Revenue Dr. Waqar Masood, provincial Chief Secretaries, secretary M/o Industries and Production, Additional Secretary M/o NFS&R, member CCP, MD PASSCO, member PBS, MD Utility Stores Corporation and senior officials of the Finance Division participated in the meeting.