Parliamentary Secretary of Ministry of Industries and Production Rao Muhammad Ajmal Khan has revealed in Senate that government has abolished subsidy on utility stores’ items.
He expressed his views while answering a call-attention notice submitted by members of National Assembly Imran Zafar Lagari, Syed Gulam Mustafa, Shahida Rehmani and Abdul Sattar Bachani for not give subsidy on utility stores’ commodities.
Ajmal Khan said that the government had organised more than 5,000 utility stores across the country including far-flung areas in 2007which was the biggest organisation in South Asia. There were more than 14,000 employees working in utility stores, he added.
The secretary said that presently no subsidy was being given in utility stores, however, he suggested that this issue should be transferred to the standing committee. On MNA Abdul Sattar’s question, the parliamentary secretary said that they had asked the government to provide the basic commodities to masses on reasonable prices but the government withdrew the subsidy. MNA Shagufta Jumani said that utility stores were selling poor quality products only. The government should organise more utility stores, she suggested.
Reacting to Jumani’s viewpoint, Rao Ajmal said that standard commodities were being sold to masses. He also asked to point out the utility stores which were selling substandard products. Ajmal suggested the government to give subsidy on sugar, oil, ghee and flour.
