‘Rs7b Ramazan package to ensure affordable food’
With burgeoning inflation and increase in prices of every essential commodity, it is a foregone conclusion that people expect maximum relief from the government. With the onset of the holy month of Ramazan, expenses rise exorbitantly and people find it difficult to make ends meet.
In this context, K-P Assembly Speaker Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani on Saturday disclosed that the federal government had provided a huge relief of Rs7 billion on essential food items to the citizens through the Ramazan relief package.
He expressed these views while speaking to the media after the inauguration of the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) branch on Murree Road.
The speaker further said that the package was a great initiative of Prime Minister Imran Khan. He said the relief package would facilitate the people during the holy month, adding that every citizen would be able to purchase affordable food and other items.
A subsidy of Rs7 billion rupees has been provided on 19 essential items of daily use, he said, adding there is a huge difference between the market price and USC price on these items.
He warned that if any trader was found selling USC items, the administration would take strict action against him.
The speaker pointed out that most Utility Stores Corporation stores were being monitored by CCTV cameras.
He said that all items were available in bulk at USC outlets and this was the responsibility of the citizen to purchase subsidised items as per their needs.
Speaking on the occasion, the USC zonal manager said that 70 branches of USC were working in Abbottabad region to facilitate the masses.
"There would be no shortage of food and other items during the month of Ramazan," he assured the residents.
He further said that the government had decided to check purchases of traders through the assistant commissioner.
"If any shopkeeper would fail to satisfy about the purchase of the items then strict action would be taken against him," he warned.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 11th, 2021.