Govt unveils Rs 2 billion Ramazan Relief Package

The government Tuesday unveiled Rs 2 billion Ramazan Relief Package providing subsidy on 13 essential items and selling about 1500 items on reduced rates through the Utility Stores.
Federal Minister for Industries Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi told newsmen here that under the relief package, 13 main items, including flour, ghee, cooking oil, gram pulse, gram flour, rice and dates on subsidized rates during the holy month of Ramazan.
Besides the government subsidy, the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) will sell 1500 items of daily use at 5-10 per cent discounted prices, reducing its own profit margin for providing relief to the marginalized segments of the society, he added.
The minister said under the Ramazan package, the government would provide Rs 120 subsidy on a 20 kg flour bag, which would be available at Rs 655 at USC outlets as compared to Rs 785 in the open market.
Likewise, the price of ghee will be reduced by Rs 40 per kilogramme, of cooking oil by Rs 30 per liter, gram pluse and gram flour by Rs 20 per kg each and dates by Rs 40 per kg, he added.
Jatoi said rice basmati would be discounted by Rs 30 per kg, tea by Rs 130 per kg and milk by Rs 11 per kg.
He said the package would be applicable from Tuesday as the USC outlets in rural areas would remain open from 9000hours to 1900 hours daily and in urban areas from 1000hours to 2200 hours to facilitate the customers.
Besides existing stores, the corporation will provide essential commodities at controlled rates during Ramazan trough mobile outlets and stalls at all Friday and Sunday Bazaars, he added.
He said arrangements had been made to maintain smooth supply of quality commodities during the holy month. He warned the officers of USC and Ministry of Industries of strict action in case complaints of adulteration, hoarding and insufficient supply.
He said a proper mechanism of check and balance had been put in place to provide daily-use items to the masses in a transparent way.
Inspection teams have been formed at zonal levels with the mandate to take swift action on any complaint while vigilance and audit teams also set up at zonal offices will inspect the USC wharehouses on daily basis and report to the head office, he added.
Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi said that a complaint cell had been set up the USC head office to redress the customers’ complaints while an operation cell at the Ministry of Industries would monitor the implementation of the Ramazan Relief Package.
The minister directed the USC officials to treat the customers politely and provide them the best possible services. He also urged the people maintain discipline while purchasing items at the USCs.