The government approved Rs1.6 billion Ramazan package under which basic food commodities would be available at Utility Stores Corporation outlets at subsidised rates. The Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet chaired by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar approved the Ramazan Relief Package-2017 with a subsidy of Rs1.602 billion on 19 commodities to provide relief to the general public during the holy month of Ramazan. The package was approved after considering a proposal submitted by the Ministry of Industries and Production. These subsidised commodities include wheat flour, sugar, ghee, oil, pulses (channa, masoor, moong washed and mash washed), white grams, baisen, dates, rice, squashes, black tea, milk, and spices. The commodities will be sold at subsidised rates across Pakistan at USC outlets. Under the package, the government would give Rs5 per kg subsidy on sugar, Rs4 per kg on flour, Rs15 per kg on prices of ghee and cooking oil, Rs15 per kg on channa pulse, Rs10 per kg on pulses. Similarly, the government would give Rs15 per kg subsidy on baisan, Rs20 per kg on dates, Rs10 per kg on different types of rice and Rs15 per bottle of beverages. The government would provide a subsidy of Rs50 on tea packet and Rs15 per kg on milk.
In addition to the Ramazan package, the USC outlets will also reduce prices of over 2,400 other items under different brands by 5 percent to 10 percent by obtaining a special discount from vendors/suppliers and reducing its own profit margins. The last year Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan had announced 1.85 billion rupees relief package for the upcoming holy month of Ramadan. It means that government has decreased the Ramzan Pakage compared to last year. This is not appropriate to decrease the Pakage because large portion of population is poor and should be facilitated and special relief should be provided to them during the holy month of Ramadan. All provincial governments should also take steps in this regard and Ramadan Bazaars should be set up where top quality food items should be available at low price. No compromise be made on the quality of edible items and sufficient supply of essential items, fruits and vegetables should be ensured during Ramadan.
There should be no complaint of shortage or unavailability of any food item and for this purpose, all concerned departments should make arrangements well in advance. Rates of all food items should be displayed properly in Ramadan bazaars and excellent cleanliness arrangements should also be made. Steps should be taken at federal and provincial level to monitor prices of products more strictly. Profiteers are enemies of the people and indiscriminate crackdown should be launched against them. Advance measures should be taken to control prices in open markets to provide relief to the people and no stone should be left unturned to ensure stability in prices and availability of daily use commodities so that maximum benefit could be provided to people.
