Although the government plans to open Utility Stores outlets in all Union Councils, there is need to expand the setting up of these stores in villages, dehs and mohallahs as well. This would alleviate the sufferings of the poor and the needy consumers who are groaning under the pressure of unbearable upsurge in prices of essential items of daily use.
A large number of consumers, contacted at different Utility Stores in the city, though expressed satisfaction over the availability of essential commodities at prices lower than prevailing in open market, their biggest worry was that making purchases at Utility Stores was cumbersome, annoying and not at all hassle-free.
One has to fight back in reaching the counter in the presence of callers who buy at cheaper rates from these stores and make money by selling the same items to the area stores. A system should be evolved to ensure that only genuine buyers benefit from this facility.
There are flaws in the distribution of the subsidised items through Utility Stores. The previous government had provided abnormal subsidy on food and other essential items, with the result that huge crowds thronged these stores. These are mostly shopkeepers and persons hired by pakwan centres who buy at cheaper rates and sell the same at higher prices.
The Utility Stores staff, when contacted, accepted the fact that fair distribution was not possible as it is difficult to differentiate between the genuine and phony buyers. The government and the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) need to evolve some formula to eliminate this menace to enable people meet their requirements with ease and comfort.
One of the suggestions is that the subsidy be reduced to 20 percent to 25 percent and subsidised items should be sold to persons on identification by the representatives of the people.
Reports that government is considering abolishing subsidy is not the solution as poor and the needy would be hit hard if items like atta, sugar and pulses are not available at cheaper rates, consumers assert.
Established in 1971, the main purpose of Utility Stores Corporation was to provide essential consumer items of daily use to general public at lower rates than the price in open market. It acts as mediator in the market to discourage hoarding and profiteering.
Consumers opine that since around 35 percent of total population live below poverty line, USC should be further activated to ensure that the deprived people get their basic food like atta, sugar, cooking oil, pulses, etc, at cheaper rates.
USC was able to deliver during the sugar crises of 2005 and currently atta is being controlled through it. Over 4,500 stores are working in the main cities and remote far-flung areas like FATA, Northern areas and Azad Kashmir to stall atta crisis.