Managing Director of the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) has informed the Ministry of Finance that the Aata would be sold at the subsidised rate of Rs 17 per Kg and ghee/oil at Rs 110 per Kg during Ramadan across the country. Federal Minister for Finance, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh chaired a meeting of the Cabinet committee to look into the prices of essential item at the Utility Stores, here on Tuesday.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Hafeez Shaikh stressed the need to ensure sufficient supply of various essential and daily use items during the holy month of Ramadan through the Utility Stores at the rates approved by the Cabinet. According to a Press Release the meeting was briefed by the Managing Director of USC that essential items would be sold at the following subsidised rates at the Utility Stores throughout the country: Aata at Rs 17/Kg; ghee and oil Rs 110/Kg; Dal chana Rs 56/Kg; White Grain (Chana) Rs 78/Kg and dates would be sold at the subsidised rate of Rs 88/Kg at the Utility Stores.
Finance Minister directed that this price shall be held at all costs. He further directed that every store shall display a chart of available items of commodities with prices. The availability and price shall be cross-checked through "mystery shopping." In addition, it was directed that USC shall published list of public complaint telephone numbers where the citizens could lodge their complaints. The meeting also appealed to the citizens and civil society to co-operate in this regard and bring all violations to the notice of USC management. The meeting was also attended by the Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture and senior officials of Ministry of Industries/ Finance/Commerce/Food & Agriculture, press release of the Finance Ministry added.-PR