ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the secretary finance, the special assistant on social protection, and the Utility Stores Corporation to finalise the proposal with respect to providing targeted subsidy to the poor and the low-income group on the daily-used commodities as early as possible.

While chairing a meeting on Wednesday on provision of subsidy on basic commodities to the poor and low-income group, the prime minister stated that it was the government's responsibility to fulfill the needs of poor and the weak segments of the society.

The meeting discussed various proposals to ensure that subsidy reaches to the deserving people in an effective and transparently manners.

The prime minister regretted that in the past, the deficiencies in the system to provide subsidies were completely neglected due to which undeserving segments in the society also took undue advantage from it.

The meeting was attended by the PM's Special Assistant on Social Protection, Dr Sania Nishtar, secretary finance, chairman National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), and other senior officials.

Later on, the prime minister chaired another meeting with regards to prices of flour and wheat, wherein, the chief secretaries of the provinces briefed the prime minister about flour and sugar prices and availability in their respective province.

The minister for industries briefed the meeting with regards to progress on import of sugar, while minister for national food security and research briefed the meeting about import of wheat.

The prime minister said that the government responsibility included provision of essential commodities to the people at appropriate prices.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020