Rs 1.75 billion Ramazan Package announced

The government has announced Rs 1.75 billion ''Ramazan Package'' to provide a sigh of relief to the low income families against sky-rocketing prices, reducing essential commodities'' rates by 10 to 15 percent at Utility Stores.
Unveiling the ''Package'', Finance Minister Naveed Qamar said that Ramazan relief package would cost the government Rs 1.75 billion, as prices of 1300 essential commodities have been reduced to benefit the consumers. According to him, flour price has been reduced to Rs 15 per kg, sugar Rs 30.50 and ghee Rs 110 per kg, white gram Rs 63 per kg, basin Rs 59 per kg and tea Rs 376 per kg.
A long list of about 1299 items was distributed among media people. These prices will be implemented from September 1 (Monday). The government outlets will remain open on holidays with extended hours for this month.
On questions regarding quality of items to be sold at Utility Stores and whether the relief package would really benefit the large number of population in rural areas, the Minister acknowledged complaints about quality and the constraints in ensuring that the poor would really benefit from it.
All he said that efforts would be made to ensure that the poorest segment of the society should benefit from this package. Monitoring arrangements would be put in place to strict action against hoarding. He deplored the practice that prices of essential commodities always increase in Ramazan, with the private sector benefiting most.
The Minister said the government would ensure maintenance of quality, while the Managing Director of Utility Stores Corporation (USC), Brigadier Abdul Hafeez, said that 200 more Utility Stores outlets were being opened in Ramazan to cater the people in rural areas. He said that it has enough stock for Ramazan, and there would be no shortage of essential commodities at the USC.
Later, talking to newsmen, the Minister said that independent power projects were being substantially paid but did not disclose the exact amount despite being repeatedly asked by the newsmen. He said the government has borrowed money from private sector to pay them.
About reduction in oil prices, he said that it was "not possible right now" as profit being earned on petrol was being used for providing subsidy on diesel prices. He said the government was importing wheat at Rs 1200 per 40 kg but was providing at much less price in the local market.