This has reference to the news published in the Business Recorder dated 13th May, 2005, in which selling of sugar in bulk has been falsely alleged against some incharges of the Utility Stores.
We strongly refute this allegation as the factual position is as under: Due to hoarding and other market forces, the prices of sugar started abnormally rising and went upto Rs 30.00 per kg in iate January and early February 05, which created anxiety and uneasiness in the public.
In order to ride over this situation and provide economic relief to the public, the Prime Minister of Pakistan took a series of decision, which included waiver of import duty and other taxes on import of sugar by the private sector.
This had a salutary effect and resulted in reduction in the prices of sugar in the open market.
In order to further reduce the prices of sugar and discourage hoarding, profiteeting and black-marketing, the Prime Minister directed Utility Stores Corporation (USC) to sell sugar at a price of RS. 23.00 per kg to the consumers through its stores spread all over the country, including Utility Stores stalls in the weekly bazars.
This decision demonstrated the resolve and political will of the government to help the consumers by ensuring the availability of sugar at reasonable prices.
The Prime Minister also directed that the required sugar be released to the USC out of the sugar stocks held by the Trading Corporation of Pakistan.
In pursuance of the above directives, the USC arranged sufficient stocks of sugar for retail sale to the consumers at the rate of Rs 23.00 per kg through its stores, weekly bazaars and mobile stores w.e.f 11th March 05.
The USC in addition to its 358 regular stores, also arranged sale of sugar from 63 additional sale points all over the country.
In order to check the price situation and to see that people are getting quality products on reasonable rates, the Prime Minister was pleased to pay a surprise visit to Itwar Bazaar Islamabad on 13th March 05.
The Prime Minister also visited Utility Stores stall in the Itwar Bazaar and inquired from the public about the prices that they were paying for various commodities available there. He particularly asked them about the availability of sugar and its prices.
He was pleased to see that the public was satisfied and a large quantity of sugar was available in packing of 1,2 and 5 kg which was being sold at the rate of Rs 23.00 per kg.
AS A RESULT OF THIS TIMELY ACTION:
a. The prices of sugar which went upto Rs 30.00 per kg started declining fast.
b. There was salutary effect on the overall prices of sugar throughout the country.
c. The private retailers in the vicinity of Utility Stores reduced their prices from Rs 29.00/30.00 per kg to Rs 25.00/36.00 per kg. However in the far-flung areas where there are no Utility Stores the retail prices being charged are Rs 27.00/28.00 per kg.
The public, Press as well as electronic media warmly appreciated the government for controlling sugar prices and for extending economic relief to the masses.
The sale of sugar from Utility Stores is monitored by its Area Managers, Regional Managers and Zonal Managers. A complete check-and-balance system on supply and sale of sugar to the stores/customers has been enforced under which bulk sale of sugar to the private shop-keepers can be easily detected. Surprise checks are conducted to ensure that the sugar is not sold in bulk. There is no shortage at any of the Utility Store.
The report in your newspaper was due to misunderstanding and the writer appears to have been misguided by the stake holders ie some of the private traders, wholesale dealers etc who are trying to safeguard thheir own interest of fleecing the public and promoting their evil designs by maligning the Corporation and to fail the Government policy of selling sugar to the public at cheaper rates.
(The writer is General Manager (P and PR, USC)
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