The Economic Co-ordination Committee of the Cabinet (ECC) has approved a Rs 1.75 billion Ramzan Relief Package, admitting that private sector invariably increases prices of essential commodities.
A meeting of the ECC chaired by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday was informed that “private sector invariably increases prices of essential commodities for a variety of reasons” and the government is providing relief to people at Utility Stores Corporation (USC) through the Ramzan Package since 1991.
On Monday, the ECC approved the Ramzan Package that will cover 22 essential items to provide relief from Rs 4 to Rs 50 on these commodities.
The meeting was informed that as directed by the Prime Minister the USC was already providing concessions on different items since April 27th which would also continue through Ramazan.
The relief on different items ranges from Rs 4 to Rs 50. Official proposal presented to the ECC reveals that Rs 4 per kg relief would be provided as flour Rs 5 on sugar, Rs 8 on ghee/oil, and Rs 10 on dall channa.
The meeting was informed that for the effective awareness of the Ramazan Relief Package 2016 extensive publicity of Ramzan Relief Package will be required involving an estimated expenditure of Rs 10 million which will be met from USC’s resources.
The ECC was requested for approval of the Ramzan Relief Package 2016 with the provision of subsidy of Rs 1.409 billion to USC and approval for release of arrears of subsidy of previous Ramzan Relief Packages amounting to Rs 622.146 million.
These claims have been submitted after an audit only recently and are under process. The effective date of the Ramzan Relief Package is proposed to be June 1, 2016.
In other Islamic countries the prices of things decreased in the respect & this holy month and for the people but in Pakistan prices of all things increased. It’s the duty of government & concerned institutions to provide common public facilities & not only announces but also implemented special Ramzan packages. Through this people can celebrate Ramzan happily & easily.
Naima Sadaqat
Rawalpindi
