Cabinet approves Rs10 bln package for relief of people

February 12, 2020: Federal Cabinet has given approval to a subsidy of two billion rupees per month for a period of five months to Utility Stores Corporation for provision of edible items of daily use to the people at affordable rates.

Meeting of the federal cabinet was held in Islamabad yesterday with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan giving a briefing to media in Islamabad on Tuesday said this package will help ensure availability of flour, sugar, rice and pulses among other edible items at USC outlets at reasonable rates. The USC has been further directed that 20 kg flour bag be sold at 800 rupees while pulses at 15-20 per cent fewer prices than market.

She said the government will also devise a strategy to keep a check on prices of essential edible items.

She said the government's economic team, ministry of commerce and other institutions including Utility Stores Corporation gave a detailed briefing to the Prime Minister.

The Cabinet gave the approval to lift a ban on import of sugar to ensure the supply of this commodity. She said the export of sugar has been banned and a strategy is being devised to remove regulatory duty on this commodity.

She said 4.3 million women are being given two thousand rupees monthly under Ehsaas program. The number will reach by seventy million by the end of this year, benefitting 46.9 people will benefit.

The Special Assistant said the Prime Minister has directed his team to devise a mechanism to reduce the prices of gas and electricity in a phase-wise manner to reduce the burden of inflation on people.

She said that the cabinet also directed to prepare a comprehensive strategy to control the prices of electricity and gas along with the causes of rising prices. She said the report will also be shared with media and the general public.

Regarding coronavirus, the SAPM said that the Health Advisor briefed the meeting about government initiatives in preventing Coronavirus.

Radio Pakistan