USC mobile stores haul staples to far-off areas

The state-run Utility Stores Corporation (USC) has launched its mobile stores services in Rawalpindi region to directly benefit and facilitate the people from the steps taken by the government against runaway prices of staple commodities. The federal government has provided subsidy on flour, cooking oil, rice and pulses in order to ensure provision of all these commodities on controlled rates, said the regional manager of the public sector store chain.

He said that the government had already provided discount on essential commodities during the lockdown period of coronavirus pandemic. The corporation was taking measures to ensure supply of adequate commodities in far off areas. If people spend cash on auto rickshaw fare or motorbike petrol to buy discounted goods from a USC outlet, and the discount and the fare or fuel expenditure levels off then they got no benefit.

Therefore it has started mobile stores services to facilitate people living in remote areas so that they could buy subsidised goods in their own neighbourhoods. The officer said that it was also ensured that other items of basic needs were also provided to them through these stores on controlled rates.