‘10 million have benefited from USC relief package’

Federal minister meets consumers to inquire about prices and quality of commodities

PESHAWAR:

Federal Minister for Industries and Production, Makhdoom Murtaza Mahmud has said that around 10 million consumers have benefited from the relief package availability at Utility Store Corporation (USC).

He paid a surprise visit to USC outlets in Peshawar on Tuesday and inspected prices of essential commodities being provided to marginalized segment of the society on subsidized rates under the Prime Minister’s Ramazan Relief Package.

Accompanied by Federal Secretary Industries and Production, Iftikhar Shallwani, Managing Director USC Syed Taha Aziz Magrabi and others senior officials of USC, the Minister visited various USC outlets in Hayatabad and checked availability of flour, sugar, pulses and ghee on subsidized rate there.

The minister met consumers and inquired about prices and quality of the commodities.

He while appreciating USC in smooth implementation of the Prime Minister’s Ramazan Relief Package in Khyber-Pakthunkhwa (K-P) said the package was aimed to provide maximum relief to the price-hike stricken people.

The minister said demand of essential commodities has been increased after reduction of its prices under the historic package, adding that keeping in view of overwhelming response of people, the federal government has increased supply of flour, ghee, pulses and sugar in Ramazan.

The MD USC said that over 10 million poor families have benefited from the relief package so far.

Before the PM’s package, a 10 KG flour bag was being sold at Rs475 at the utility store while today it is available at Rs400, showing Rs75 discount for poor and underprivileged people in K-P.

Likewise, 20 kg flour sack is being sold at Rs800 during Ramazan against Rs950 before the holy month thus providing Rs150 relief to the consumers of lower middle class.

Similarly, one kilogram sugar bag is currently available at Rs70 against Rs85 prior to Ramazan.

The MD said that 35 mobile utility stores in K-P and 15 in merged tribal districts were also operating in Ramazan.

To a question, the federal minister said that political stability was vital for economic progress and development.

He said the present govt was focusing on progress and prosperity of its people rather than indulging in political confrontation with anyone.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 27^th, 2022.