The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has allowed the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) in Sindh to procure 17000 tons white refined imported sugar to end the shortage of commodity in the Utility Stores outlets in the province.
The TCP released the first tranche of imported sugar, which cost the government Rs 65/kg, to the USC of Sindh province, where the stock of the commodity in the zonal godowns had come to a complete end due to prolonged suspension in supply from sugar mills of Punjab, official sources told Business Recorder on Tuesday.
They said that TCP has issued delivery orders of 7,000 tons of imported refined sugar from its godown located in Pipri to Karachi Zone. TCP has also approved the procurement of another 10,000 tons of refined sugar for USC Sukkur Zone to ensure the provision of commodity at utility stores of Sindh, sources added.
Sources said the USC zonal managers in Sindh had requested TCP to provide 50,000 tons locally produced white refined sugar in order to provide the essential commodity at Rs 38/kg at utility stores. USC-Karachi Zone, which covers Hyderabad, Nawabshah, District Badin and Mirpurkhas, had requested TCP to provide 25,000 tons at utility stores, but the government can only provide 2000 tons of the commodity to the USC, they said.
"TCP has no stocks of its own in sugar mills of Sindh and is procuring the sugar from sugar mills of Punjab but the supply was affected due to ongoing sugar crisis," they said, adding that TCP asked Tando Muhammad Khan (TMK) Sugar Mills and Sehar Sugar Mills to provide 25,000 tons sugar to Karachi Zone, but the mills could provide 2000 tons of sugar.
Talking to Business Recorder, Muhammad Riaz, Regional Manager, USC, said the USC Karachi Zone would start procurement of imported refined sugar from on Wednesday. The delivery of 7000 tons would meet the requirement of commodity by the TCP at USC Karachi Chapter for at least two months, he said. He added that according to direction of Ministry of Industries and Production, imported sugar would also be available at Rs 38/kg at utility stores and USC franchise for providing maximum relief to the poverty-stricken masses of the province.