ISLAMABAD, May 6 (APP): Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan on Monday said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had announced Rs 2 billion Ramadan package under which essential items were being provided to the people at cheaper rates at the Utility Stores Corporation (USC).
Addressing a joint press conference along with Managing Director USC, Umar Lodhi she said it was unfortunate that during the holy month of Ramadan prices of daily use items were increased due to demand and supply gap. She said keeping in mind the problems of the masses Prime Minister Imran Khan had issued directives for issuance of Rs 2 billion to the USC so that the common man could be provided relief.
She said that subsidy was being given on 19 items including flour, ghee, cooking oil, pulses, chickpea flour (baison), dates, rice, milk, soft drinks and spices.
Elaborating the subsidy, she said that on a 20 kg bag of flour Rs 59 subsidy was being given, whereas Rs 5 subsidy was being given on per kilogram of sugar, Rs 15 on ghee, Rs 10 on cooking oil. Similarly, Rs 30 subsidy was being given on dates, Rs 10 on spices, and Rs 15 on milk.
She said that PM had issued directive to MD USC to ensure availability of all daily use items at the utility stores. She said that the previous government gave Rs 1.6 billion Ramadan package, but only Rs 760 million could be utilized, while the remaining amount lapsed due to lack of capacity of the USC.
Replying to the questions of the media, she said that opposition not only had the right to raise public interest issues in the House, but they also needed to accept who ruined the country’s economy. She said that the present government of Prime Minister Imran Khan would restore the economy and brings about positive change in the lives of the people, but it would need some time as only eight months had passed since PTI took over.
About the so-called distribution of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz posts among the family members, she said that it appeared the PML-N was not a political party, but a private limited company. She said that no parliamentary party or central executive committee meeting was called to take such important decisions.
She said the changes made by PML-N leaders groomed under the shadow of dictatorship were a big joke with the democratic institutions. She said that Election Commission of Pakistan had already announced that a convicted person could not keep any party’s office bearer. She said that appointment of Mariam Nawaz as Vice President of the PML-N was against the law of the land.
She appealed to the nation to offer special prayers for solidarity and progress of the country during the holy month of Ramadan.
The Managing Director Utility stores corporations (USC) Umer Lodhi said that during Ramzan package people make extra purchases to avail more and more benefits of subsidy which increase the sales by 10 percent and cause shortage of products.
Owing to the increased demand some issues were reported about shortage of stocks but we are making all the possible efforts to address the issue on priority basis.
He further said that USC is also operating in far-flung areas of the country where the delivery of stock is difficult and takes some time but we are committed at ensuring the smooth supply at every nock and corner of the country to facilitate the masses at grass root level.
He also informed that vigilance teams of Utility stores corporations are frequently visiting different outlets to ensure smooth operation and we are also in contact with all the zonal managers through video link conference to have updates about stocks.
VNS Islamabad
