Rs 1.75 billion Ramzan package announced

ISLAMABAD (APP) - The federal government on Wednesday announced a massive Rs 1.75 billion Ramazan Package to subsidize the purchase of daily-use items for common people at the Utility Stores Corporation (USC).

The subsidy will be effective from June 1 till the end of Ramazan.

Federal Minister for Industries and Production, Murtaza Khan Jatoi announced the package at a press conference, and was accompanied by Managing Director Utility Stores Corporation (USC), Gulzar Hussain Shah and other ministry officials.

Jatoi said that some elements took advantage of Ramazan through exorbitant price hikes and that the subsidy package announced by the government was an effort to frustrate their designs.

He said that the government was committed to providing relief to the people, adding that the Ramazan Package had been started by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif back in 1990s and was followed by the successive governments.

The minister said that he would visit USC outlets to addresses issues and grievance of the public in terms of quality and cost of USC items.

Meanwhile, speaking on the occasion, MD USC, Gulzar Hussain Shah said that the government had already been providing eleven items on reduced rates since April 27.

To a question, he said that there would be no compromise on quality and prices of utility store products.

The minister said that as many as 22 daily-use items would be available at subsidized rates in all USC outlets from June 1 till the last day of Ramazan.

The minister informed the press that sugar would be available at Rs 60 per kg compared to Rs 65 in the open market, utility ghee would be available from Rs 115 per kg compared to 125-160 per kg in the open market, while utility oil would be sold at Rs 125 per kg against a market price of Rs 130-170.

Likewise Dal Channa would be available at Rs 120 per kg compared to 150-160 per kg in the open market, Dal moong (washed)atn Rs 148 per kg compared to Rs 160-180 per kg while dall mash (washed) would be available at Rs 273 per kg compared to Rs 280-300 per kg in the market.

Similarly, the minister added, Dal masoor would be sold at Rs 115 per kg compared to Rs 160-187 per kg in the market, white gram at Rs 115 per kg compared to Rs 160-180 per kg in the market, Basen at Rs 120 per kg against Rs 150-160 per kg, branded basen at Rs 140 against Rs 150-160, black gram at Rs 110 per kg against Rs 140-150 per kg, mash shell at Rs 258 compared to Rs 275-280 per kg whereas masoor (whole) would be provided at Rs 120 per kg against Rs 150-160 per kg.

Likewise, dates would be sold at Rs 160 per kg against 200-220 per kg, Rice (super basmati) at Rs 72 per kg against Rs 80 to 100 per kg, rice (super sella) at Rs 72 per kg against Rs 80-100 per kg, broken rice would be available at Rs 48 per kg against Rs 55-60 per kg, squashes and syrups (1500ml) at Rs 265 against Rs 295, squashes and syrups (800ml) at Rs 152 against Rs 170, black tea at Rs 603 per kg against Rs 690 per kg, milk (tetra pack) at Rs 102 liter kg against 115 per liter while all USC spices would be available on 10 percent discount.