Utility Stores Corporation (USC) Managing Director Hafeez Ahmed has said the government has reduced prices of 300 edibles on the occasion of Eidul Azha to facilitate the public.
While addressing a press conference, he said that the reduction will be effective from January 3 to 25. These edible items include cooking oil, rice, red and black pepper, jellies, jam, pickle, ketchup, tea and masala of chicken tikka, nihari, qorma, biryani, mutton, chicken and beef pulao.
The utility stores throughout the country will remain open on Sunday during this period, he added.
He said the government has established 35 stores in affected areas which are providing essential consumer items on cheaper rates to the earthquake survivors, adding that 20 stores were established in NWFP and 15 in AJK.
The USC managing director said the government earned Rs 1 billion profit through Utility Stores Corporation in 2005. He said the Corporation is selling wheat flour at Rs 11.50 per kg and sugar at Rs 23 per kg at its permanent stores and weekly bazaars as well as through mobile outlets in the country.
Hafeez Ahmed said the Corporation supplied 15,000 tons stocks to affected areas and it is also exploring the possibility of availability of CGI sheets to be sold to the survivors through its stores at cheaper rates.
He said that 25-truck load of instant food was sent by the Corporation to worst-hit area and the its staff has worked round the clock in emergency relief cells to provide relief to quake survivors.
The USC managing director said the government has provided about Rs 100 million relief to the consumers through the USC by reducing prices of edible items.
He said the current sugar price-hike is due to the tussle among sugar mill-owners, labourers, and growers and the government is working hard to resolve the issue.
A newsman pointed out that consumers are forced by Utility Stores to purchase other items with sugar, which is not fair.
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