The Utility Stores recorded sales of Rs 500 million on the first day of Ramadan, outclassing all rivals, including the Ramadan Bazaars and other markets, Pakistan Today has learnt. These stores were the best place to shop, as the prices of everyday use items were far less than the open market. A survey conducted by Pakistan Today revealed that all kitchen items were cheaper at these stores. Customers could save around 15 percent money if they purchased from the Utility Stores, as the federal government was offering Rs 2 billion subsidy only for Ramadan.
There were more than 20 Utility Stores in the city providing kitchen items to consumers. Although, the Punjab government had established Ramadan Bazaars and offered subsidy on limited products, but still prices of these products were high and it seemed that the politically-motivated Ramadan Bazaars have failed to deliver to the masses. On the other hand, Utility Stores were offering very cheap rates on kitchen items such as sugar, flour, edible oil and ghee, rice, tea, grams, pulses, dates, juices, spices and baisan.
Customers have also shown pleasure and happiness over reduction in prices at Utility Stores. People said that they have taken a sigh of relief this year during Ramadan, as the prices of kitchen items were quite less. They said that the Punjab government should also take a lesson from Utility Stores and try to establish such mechanism, where people could get products at cheaper rates and with respect and dignity. Perhaps, it was for the first time in history that there were no long queues at Utility Stores and people were getting sugar and flour easily.
“In recent years, we have observed that whenever subsidies are offered there were long queues at Utility Stores but it is for the first time that consumers are getting every type of products hassle free,” consumer Mujahid Rasheed at the Model Town Utility Store said. He appreciated the administration of Utility Stores for establishing separate counters for sugar, rice, ghee and flour. “The Utility Stores administration has established separate counters for the first time and it is a good step, as in this way people could purchase products easily,” another customer Kashif Javed said adding that items were available openly and there was no problem in purchasing things. “In the past, there have been long queues at Utility Stores but this time things are different and consumer-friendly,” he added.
Housewife Saleha Karim said that she saved at least 15 percent this month by shopping from Utility Store. “My average kitchen item bill is around Rs 6,000 but this month it remained around Rs 5,000 and it is due to the subsidy being offered at Utility Stores,” she said adding that the quality of products was also very good. “All products were up to the standard and fresh,” she added.
Consumers said that often there were long queues at Sasta Bazaars and it hurts people’s dignity but there was no such thing at Utility Stores. “I have been to Ramadan Bazaars and was embarrassed to see people standing in queues and purchasing flour and sugar,” banker Rashid Alam said adding that when he went to Utility Store, there were no queues and people were purchasing products easily. He said that it was a leadership difference and once Utility Stores were taken for granted but now once again people were coming here for shopping. “Credit goes to the Federal Industries Ministry, which has offered huge subsidy in Ramadan,” he concluded.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Industries Raja Basharat said that the federal government was committed to provide relief to the people and through a respectable way. He said that only in one day sales of Utility Stores remained more than Rs 500 million. “The huge sales of Utility Stores on the first day of Ramadan is a proof that people are very much interested in buying from Utility Stores,” he said adding that the federal government had provided relief to people in the past and would continue to do so.
