Ministry of Industries and Production has requested the Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet for approval of an additional subsidy of Rs 500 million for the month of Ramazan, it was reliably learnt.
Sources told Business Recorder that a summary was moved by the Ministry of Industries and Production to the ECC stating that Rs 2 billion approved on account of subsidy for Ramazan would not be sufficient and requested for approval of additional subsidy of Rs 500 million.
An official on condition of anonymity said that summary was not taken up by the ECC and may again be put up in the next meeting. According to the Ministry of Industries sales have been very encouraging and there was an unprecedented rush of customers in Utility Stores. The summary argues that keeping in view the customers' traffic at USC outlets, the subsidy of Rs 2 billion will be exhausted and there will be shortage of certain items like wheat floor, ghee/oil and tea. A shortfall of these items, the summary warns, will invite criticism of the government.
In view of the above, the summary proposes that the ECC of the Cabinet may approve the additional subsidy of Rs 500 million for the month of Ramazan. However, the amount of subsidy will be claimed subject to the actual consumption. The Ministry of Industries moved the summary to the ECC of the Cabinet in its meeting held on 30.6.2011, when Ramazan Relief Package of Rs 2 billion for the month of Ramazan along with an additional Rs 100 million for public awareness campaign in this regard was approved.
The Utility Stores Corporation (USC) launched Ramazan Relief Campaign both on electronic as well as print media. There is a need to further enhance the publicity campaign with a view to creating greater awareness of government support for the welfare of the public, the summary argues.
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