The Federal Cabinet recently announced Ramazan-2007 package, to be provisioned to the people of Pakistan throughout the country by a network of 3,400 utility stores for which the government will bear the subsidy upto Rs 1,490 million.
While dividing the subsidy in proportion of about 160 million population, it shall benefit each Pakistani with about Rs 10 only for complete one month and by further dividing the subsidy of Rs 10 per person for 30 days, each citizen will get only 0.33 paisas subsidy per day. What a great job done by the cabinet, which deserves all commendations.
This tiny charity is below minimum requirement and will not serve the purpose. The network of 3,400 utility stores is insufficient to cater to the needs and facilitate the population of above 160 million citizens.
Question arises, why the government has restricted this facility at Utility Stores only and why not extend it to open market for easy reach of common man. There are many areas in different cities of the country where no Utility Store exists.
Instances have revealed, the quantity and quality of items sold at Utility Stores are usually found insufficient and below standard due to careless supervision and mismanagement.
Keeping in view the past experiences of 'traditional black-marketing during each Ramazan' in Pakistan, the government should fix selling price, binding on each wholesale and retail merchants and depute officials to ensure the sale of these items at controlled price in open market to facilitate all citizens during Ramazan and not allow any person to indulge in black-marketing and to punish violators to establish the writ of government.
The market mafia has started hoarding various products commonly required during Ramazan, which indicates their wilful intentions of black-marketing but our governmental machinery at federal, provincial and district levels is a silent spectator and has not yet announced any policy or strategy to control price hike during Ramazan.