ECC discusses summary of ETCSP worth Rs106bn

Dec 18, 2021: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Friday discussed the summary of Ehsaas Targeted Commodity Subsidy Program (ETCSP) worth Rs106.102 billion presented by the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division, APP reported.

The total amount of this program is Rs106.102 billion for the period of January 1st to June 30, 2022 and the program includes subsidy for beneficiaries, incentive for Kiryana Stores.

Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Omar Ayub Khan, chaired the special meeting of the ECC of the Cabinet here, said a press release issued by the Ministry for Economic Affairs here.

SMS Charges for Telecom Operators, Verification Charges to Pakistan Mobile Numbers Portability Database and NADRA, mobilization charges, NBP costs and other operational expenditures.

It was highlighted that in pursuance of the Cabinet Decisions, extensive efforts were undertaken including field visits, market surveys, and meetings with local shop owners/Tajir Associations in dozens of cities across the country.

In addition, wide ranking consultations were held with relevant provincial and federal stakeholders.

Resultantly, the Program Design Document has been amended to ensure compliance with the Cabinet Decisions and address the concerns of stakeholders.

Further, PASS Division and National Bank of Pakistan have also started mobilization efforts for beneficiaries and merchants registration.

In order to implement this program, PASS Division will enter into an MOU with NBP for this purpose and will reimburse all relevant costs incurred by NBP on a monthly basis subject to an independent audit and authorization by the Program Steering Committee.

PASS Division will hire one of the top Accounting Firms as an external auditor to review all transactions (subsidy and vendor payments) processed on monthly basis;

The three items covered under the program are essential commodities with inelastic demand, therefore, adoption of local prices will be allowed for the disbursement of the fixed per unit subsidy.

According to the Kiryana Incentive Scheme, target Kiryana Stores are located in communities with average monthly income of less than Rs30,000 per family.

Hence, 8% of subsidy value as incentive for Kiryana Stores (Rs2 / transaction, assuming average transaction value of Rs500) will be allowed.

After due deliberations, ECC of the Cabinet approved the summary of Poverty Alleviation & Social Safety (PASS) Division for launching of the Ehsaas Targeted Commodity Subsidy Program (ETCSP).

APP