Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Tuesday approved the Ramazan package for Utility Stores Corporation (USC), clearing it for the Cabinet meeting scheduled here for Wednesday. The package will offer the consumers over 150 items at 10 to 15 percent discounted prices at all USC outlets during the holy month of Ramazan.
It will cover all household items, particularly edibles such as flour, sugar, milk, grams and other lentils, dates, milk powder, rice, etc. The Prime Minister will announce the Ramazan package soon after its approval by the Cabinet.
Talking to Business Recorder, advisor to Prime Minister on Finance Dr Salman Shah said the government wanted to provide every possible relief to the low income group of the people, and the Ramazan package was meant keeping in mind this objective. He said that the Prime Minister was briefed on the Ramazan package by him and other members of the economic team. He said that the government would take all possible steps to ensure stability in prices during the holy month of Ramazan.
As part of the Ramazan package, USC will reduce the prices of selected items at all its outlets from September 13, a day before the start of Ramazan. The Prime Minister directed USC Managing Director Brigadier Abdul Hafeez, who was present at the meeting, to make sure that the Ramazan package should work according to government expectations to give relief to as many people as possible.
The Prime Minister had asked the USC chief that he should form special teams to check the prices and quality of the items to be offered in the Ramazan package.
The Prime Minister was informed that USC had enhanced its network across the country and its all outlets would offer the Ramazan package to the consumers to provide the items of their use during holy month of Ramazan at discounted prices.
He was also told USC would make special arrangement through mobiles and temporary outlets to provide relief through Ramazan package to the maximum number of consumers. USC will also offer items at reduced prices at weekly bazaars.