Punjab govt decides to limit flour subsidy

A high-level departmental meeting chaired by Senior and Food Minister Punjab Abdul Aleem Khan has decided to limit the subsidy on flour and bring down the prices of subsidised flour significantly.

In this regard, the recommendations for the provision of targeted subsidy on flour were considered in detail. Speaking at the meeting, Senior Minister Abdul Aleem Khan said presently, the supply of subsidised flour to every citizen is being implemented. He said in the new system, subsidised flour would be provided only to the needy people for which the data of Ehsas Programme would be used. The flour price would be reduced further to provide them with more relief.

Abdul Aleem Khan directed the authorities to prepare recommendations for the targeted subsidy so that a final briefing could be given to Prime Minister Imran Khan on the issue. He said comprehensive mechanism evolved while the bag of this flour would be green colour so that the subsidised flour reaches only to the deserving people.

The senior minister said in the new system millions of people in Punjab would benefit from this subsidy.

The food department’s secretary said that selection of flour mills would be implemented through open tendering.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 4^th, 2020.