May 09, 2022 (MLN): The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Monday has granted the approval to revise the prices of Wheat flour (Atta) and Sugar from Rs950 per 20 kg to Rs800 per 20 Kg and Rs85 per kg to Rs70 per kg respectively under the Ramadan Relief Package-2022, said a statement issued by Finance Division issued today.
ECC also ordered that a discount of Rs190 per kg on vegetable ghee will be continued and the government will continue to absorb the cost of subsidy for the benefit of the common man.
The summary on the revision of the prices of Atta and Sugar under the Ramadan Relief Package-2022 was tabled by the Ministry of Industries and Production and submitted to provide continuous relief to the lower strata of the society from global inflationary pressure.
On another summary submitted by the Ministry of Industries and Production on the continuation of the Prime Minister’s Relief Package 2020 for the months of May and June 2022, it was decided that because there is already stock available at the Utility Store Corporation (USC) for selling the commodities at a cheaper rate of Ramzan relief package, therefore the ECC directed the USC to continue to sell commodities at Ramzan relief package prices.
Ministry of National Food Security & Research tabled a summary for procurement of an additional quantity of Wheat for PASSCO and Punjab Food Department with cash credit limits to build up strategic reserves and stabilize the local wheat market. PASSCO and Punjab have met their wheat procurement targets of 1.20 MMT and 3.5 MMT respectively on 30-04-2022. The Chair allowed PASSCO to procure an additional quantity of 0.50 MMT with the CCL of Rs28.50 billion and permitted Punjab Food Department to procure an additional quantity of 1.00 MMT with the CCL of Rs145.50 billion in the wake of low production of wheat in the country due to previous government’s failure to provide fertilizers to the growers on time. Further, the Chair said that the Sindh government will be allowed to procure an additional quantity of Wheat, once it meets the current procurement target.
In another summary submitted by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, the ECC considering the current world scenario, its effects on the world economy and the demand-supply situation of wheat in the country, approved 3.00 MMT of wheat import on a need basis, depending upon the demand of the PASSCO and provincial governments to build up strategic reserves and to stabilize wheat prices in the country. The Finance Minister further directed the concerned authorities to frame modalities for financing and procurement.
The ECC deferred a summary for Supplementary Grant for Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat.
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Mr Miftah Ismail presided over the meeting.
Federal Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Mr Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, Federal Minister for Industries & Production Syed Murtaza Mahmud, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Dr Aisha Ghous Pasha, Minister of State for Petroleum Mr Musadik Masood Malik, Federal secretaries and senior officers attended the meeting.
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