‘USC outlets providing subsidy’

Subsidised essential goods to be sold with SMS confirmation from November

Utility Stores Corporation is providing subsidies on basic essential commodities for the convenience of the public. Essential commodities such as flour, sugar, ghee, pulses, and rice can now be bought at subsidised rates.

From November 1, customers wanting to avail subsidised rates will have to send an SMS (message) with their ID card number to ‘5566’ from their mobile phones before coming to the utility store and in response, they will be provided with a one-time password (OTP) for the purchase. Customers at any utility store will be able to purchase subsidized items by showing the One Time Password (OTP) and ID card.

This new system has been introduced to facilitate customers to save time and to ensure that they can sell subsidised items in a very transparent manner. Moreover, it will also ensure that deserving people who are actually eligible can easily buy these items.

It should be noted that a one-time password (OTP) and ID card are not required for the purchase of commodities other than subsidised items. With this modern system of Utility Stores Corporation, the overall efficiency of the corporation will be improved, subsidy monitoring will be done in a modern way and there will be more transparency in obtaining subsidies for the public.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31^st, 2022.