ECC allows inspection of pre-shipment imported wheat

January 26, 2023 (MLN): The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Wednesday allowed TCP to carry on pre-shipment inspection of imported wheat at load ports by its already pre-qualified six International Pre-Shipment Inspection Agencies (PSIAs) to ensure the quality of imported wheat as per approved specifications.

According to the statement issued by Finance Division, the committee was informed that a number of wheat consignments are due in the coming months.

The committee considered a summary submitted by the Ministry of National Health Services for the Technical Supplementary Grant (TSG) Rs666.64 million for pay and allowances of Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC) employees.

In this regard, the ECC formed a team consisting of secretaries of MNFSR and commerce headed by SAPM on government effectiveness Dr. Muhammad Jehanzeb Khan to evaluate viable options for the financial sustainability of PCCC and to submit the report in 15 days.

The committee also considered a summary of the Ministry of Poverty alleviation on subsidy for wheat seed (Rabi 2022-23) and allowed the provision of Rs8.39 billion through TSG in favor of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) for cash subsidy to farmers of flood-affected areas instead of provision of wheat seeds as per recommendations of the committee.

Further, the ECC directed BISP to initiate cash disbursement through its partner bank as per eligibility criteria and the amount to be disbursed to each eligible person identified by the government of Sindh.

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar presided over the said meeting.

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