Subsidy of Rs8.4b on edible items provided

State Minister for Industries and Production Dr Ayatullah Durrani sees sugar prices coming down.

ISLAMABAD: The government has provided subsidies worth Rs8.4 billion on various edible items through the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) during the current year, State Minister for Industries and Production Dr Ayatullah Durrani informed the National Assembly on Friday.

The concessions provided through the Ramazan relief package were part of the subsidy provided during 2010-11, he told the house during question hour.

He said that sugar is being sold at USC outlets at a subsidised rate and the amount of subsidy is about Rs13.57 per kg.

He said that prices of sugar in the international market have also affected the domestic market, but expressed the hope that prices would come down in coming days.

Speaking on the quality of sugar, the minister said: “The government never compromises on the quality of sugar,” and the quality of imported sugar is being monitored by the Pakistan Standards Quality Control Authority (PSQCA).

Durrani said that production of cars during 2009-10 stood at 121,790 units. “All automobile manufacturers are in the private sector and prices move according to the market mechanism. The government has no control on rates,” he said.

However, he said, the government in an effort to stabilise prices has increased the age limit for imported used cars from three to five years under the gift, transfer of residence and personal baggage schemes.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 25^th, 2010.