Govt announces Rs10bn subsidy package for utility stores

ISLAMABAD: To counter the soaring inflation, the government announced a subsidy package of Rs10 billion on Tuesday, according to which prices of essential food items will be brought down. This decision was taken after inflation soared across the country in the past couple of weeks.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan held a press conference in which she announced the cabinet’s decision to give the green signal for a Rs10 billion package for the Utility Stores Corporation (USC).

The SAPM said a 20-kilo bag of flour would now be available for Rs800, while sugar and ghee would be sold at Rs70 and Rs175 a kilo, respectively.

Dr Awan said the USC was being given Rs10 billion in subsidies over the next five months — to be disbursed as Rs2-billion monthly payments.

The government has been facing criticism for the wheat flour and sugar crisis that has gripped the country over the past couple of weeks. Prime Minister Imran Khan directed authorities to conduct a “grand operation” against those found responsible for the wheat crisis.

No sooner had the country recovered from the wheat crisis when prices of sugar started skyrocketing across the country as the product became scarce from the market. Opposition parties have demanded the PTI hold an independent inquiry into the matter and punish those found responsible.