If subsidy is withdrawn, a 40 kilogramme bag will cost more than double the current price, which is Rs740. PHOTO: FILE
The Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) government has categorically ‘rejected’ the federal government’s decision to withdraw subsidy on wheat and impose a ban on recruitments. The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mehdi Shah in Gilgit, G-B Information Minister Sadia Danish said on Wednesday.
Under a special package for the region, G-B has been receiving two million wheat bags annually from the federal government on subsidised rates since a long time. If the subsidy is now withdrawn, a 40 kilogramme bag will cost more than double the current price, which is Rs740.
“The chief minister will take up the issue of subsidies with the prime minister shortly to ensure it continues or is at least withdrawn gradually,” Danish, who has recently been given charge of the information ministry, told The Express Tribune.
Referring to the cabinet meeting held on Tuesday, Danish said the G-B government would continue hiring people as and when required, especially for vacancies already advertised in papers. The minister said a committee has also been formed to make necessary changes in laws to increase mining fees and royalty of minerals extracted in G-B.
In addition, the government would regularise contract employees from the public works department in due course of time, she added.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 21st, 2013.
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