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  • USC automation to ease provision of targeted subsidy

    USC automation to ease provision of targeted subsidy

    ISLAMABAD: The automaton of Utility Stores Corporation (USC) will help the government provide targeted subsidy to beneficiaries under Ehsaas Program.

    Federal Minister for Industries and Production Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar presided over the meeting on the progress of digitalization and automation program of Utility Store Corporation under the Digital Pakistan Initiative.

    The meeting was attended by Secretary Industries and Production, MD USC, senior officials of the Ministry and representative of PTCL & NRTC.

    MD USC briefed the Chair on digitalization program of corporation: encompassing it’s business process under ERP (enterprise resource planning); including supply chain, warehousing, financials, deployment of POS, human resources, and targeted subsidy which will be consummated by end this month.

    He also informed the Minister that USC had completed the automation of utility stores in Islamabad region, shifting 20% of total sales on automation which would be inaugurated in next week.

    While reviewing the progress of USC’s digitalization, the Minister highlighted that the government would provide targeted subsidies at the Utility Stores for the Prime Minister Ehsaas program beneficiaries by linking their Ehsaas Cards/national identity cards with the sale points while making these stores a targeted subsidy tool.

    The Minister appreciated the team of USC and remarked that this project would be the largest digitalization program of any public sector oriented company.

    He informed that upon completion, Prime Minister of Pakistan would inaugurate the automation program of USC, as Digital Pakistan’s vision has been very close to his heart.

    The Minister also lauded the ongoing cooperation of PTCL and NRTC to work hand-in-hand with USC to carry out the automation program.

    ECC approves continuation of general subsidy through Utility Stores
  • ECC approves hike in prices of sugar, wheat flour, edible ghee

    ECC approves hike in prices of sugar, wheat flour, edible ghee

    ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Friday approved increase in prices of three essential items.

    Shaukat Tarin, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue chaired the meeting.

    Ministry of Industries and Production presented a summary regarding extension of the Prime Minister’s Relief Package-2020. The package has provided subsidies on five essential commodities from July 15, 2021 to September 30, 2021. The extension has been provided till the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system becomes fully operational.

    Moreover, the ECC also approved the revision in prices of three essential commodities namely Atta (20 kg bag) to Rs. 950, Ghee (per kg) to Rs. 260 and Sugar (per kg) to Rs. 85 respectively. The increase was granted because of increasing gap between the subsidized prices and the prevailing market prices.

    The committee approved revision in prices of three essential commodities to rationalize provision of subsidies by the Utility Stores Corporation (USC).

    Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Fakhar Imam, Federal Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar, SAPM on Finance and Revenue Dr. Waqar Masood, SAPM on Power and Petroleum Tabish Gauhar, SAPM on Youth Affairs Usman Dar, Secretary Finance Division, Secretary Communication, Secretary M/o Industries and Production, Governor SBP, Chairman PTA and other senior officers participated in the meeting.

    The ECC considered and approved a summary regarding the elimination of documents attestation fee for goods imported into Pakistan from Kenya as this Non-Tariff Measure (NTM). The decision by the Committee would facilitate trade between the two countries and enhance Pakistan’s market share in the region.

    The ECC approved a summary regarding non-cash settlement for power sector re-lent loans against subsidies payable by the government amounting Rs.116 billion.

    The ECC approved “Kamyab Pakistan Program”. A flagship program which shall extend micro-loans to entrepreneurs and farmers under “Kamyab Karobar” and “Kamyab Kissan” schemes respectively.

    The program shall also provide low cost housing loans through NAPHDA. The Kamyab Pakistan Program also includes ongoing skill development program for educational and vocational training under the title “Kamyab Hunarmand”.

    The Kamyab Pakistan Program is aimed at extending loans to 04 million households at the lowest strata, as registered with the National Socio Economic Registry (NSER) of Ehsaas. Loans worth Rs.0.5 million, Rs.0.150 million and Rs.0.2 million through Micro-Finance Providers for Kamyab Karobar and Kamyab Kissan at 0% mark up will be provided. The third component of the scheme is introduction of a new tier in Naya Pakistan Low Cost Housing Scheme wherein loans of Rs.2.7 million (for NAPHDA) and Rs.2 million (for Non-NAPHDA) projects will be given at subsidized rates.

    The salient features of the Kamyab Pakistan Program include loan size of Rs.150,000 (per crop) for purchase of agricultural inputs. The commutative disbursement under the program would be Rs.1.6 billion over the period of 03 years. It shall benefit 30,00,000 families.

    The ECC commended all concerned for working out such a detailed program aimed at “bottom-up approach” for reducing poverty as envisaged by the Prime Minister.

    The Finance Minister stated that the consultative process was followed in working out modalities of the Kamyab Pakistan Program ensuring that all relevant stakeholders are on board and micro-loans shall be disbursed as per the given criteria.

    The ECC also considered and approved the Draft Policy Directives related to Auction of Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) in Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) as submitted by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication before the Committee. This is the first time that the NGMS will be auctioned in AJK and it will improve mobile broadband services in the region.

    Moreover, ECC also decided that for the payment of the Auctioned licence fee, the method in-vogue in the earlier auction processes will be followed. Ministry of Maritime Affairs presented a summary regarding award of Engineering Consultancy Service contract for up-gradation of Port Qasim Authority (PQA) amounting to Rs.86.6 million.

    The ECC approved the execution of the project. ECC allowed Post Qasim Authority, Karachi Port Trust and Gwadar Port Authority Boards to transfer their Marine assets to the Pakistan Marine and Shipping Services Company Private Limited (PMSSC), a subsidiary of Pakistan National Shipping Corporation.

    The maximum rates to be charged by the Pakistan Marine & Shipping Services Company (PMSSC) from the Public Sector ports & harbours shall be determined from time to time by Ministry of Maritime Affairs through a notification in official gazette.

    The Ministry of National Food Security and Research (M/o NFS&R) presented a summary regarding procurement of 200,000 cotton bales by TCP to promote cotton production and bring stability in the domestic market.

    The ECC also approved formation of Cotton Price Review Committee (CPRC) with a mandate to review market price and propose intervention at fortnightly basis.

    The ECC also approved a summary by the M/o Industries and Production for importing 200,000 metric tons of sugar to build strategic reserves and minimize the role of speculative elements in the domestic market. In case of need more reserves will be built through import, the ECC decided.

    ECC approved the amendment in its earlier decision dated 19-02-2021 regarding the “Prime Minister’s” fiscal package for Agriculture in the wake of COVID-19 Kharif”. The package offered subsidy on DAP@1500Rs/acre for cotton and rice crops, during the Kharif Season 2021. Now according to the amendment, the farmers can avail subsidy on any phosphatic fertilizer according to their choice.

  • USC to announce special discount package for Ramazan

    USC to announce special discount package for Ramazan

    In an effort to provide relief to the public during the holy month of Ramazan, the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) is set to unveil a special discount package starting from April 1, 2021.

    (more…)
  • Sindh governor visits USC outlets to check availability of essential items

    Sindh governor visits USC outlets to check availability of essential items

    KARACHI: Sindh Governor Imran Ismail on Wednesday paid surprise visit to outlets of Utility Stores Corporation (USC) to check the availability of essential items under Prime Minister Relief Package.

    The Sindh governor visited the stores on the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan. Chairman USC Zulqarnain was also with him during visits of various outlets in the city.

    The governor visited USC outlet at Gulshan e Iqbal to witness the sale of 12,000 bags of wheat flour to the masses.

    While talking to media, the governor said that hype was created regarding wheat shortage. He said that the situation was not as serious as was portrayed by various quarters.

    He said that PASCO warehouses had storage of 300,000 tons of wheat. In order to supply this stock the transport of NLC could be used, he added.

    He said that it was an artificial shortage and the government was ensuring the availability of the commodity.

    Ismail said that the prime minister was on attending World Economic Forum at Davos but he was worried about such situation.

    He said that the government had ensured availability of 10-kg wheat flour bag at Rs400 as against this bag was available at Rs600 in the open market.

    USC Chairman said that under PM Package other items such as ghee, pulses, sugar etc were also available at subsidized prices. The government has released a fund of Rs7 billion for the subsidized items, he added.

  • Measures to ensure transparency in PM relief package

    Measures to ensure transparency in PM relief package

    KARACHI: Utility Stores Corporation (USC) has taken all measures to ensure transparency in provision of subsidized items under the Prime Minister Relief Package, a top official said.

    “Our investigation teams are working across the country to prevent any misuse of the package,” said Zulfiqar Rahat, Zonal Manager, Sindh in a media briefing.

    He said that general public in case identifying any misuse can complaint at the numbers displayed at all the USC outlets across the country.

    The zonal manager said that in the era of social media every person has direct access to the prime minister and the managing director of the USC to make any complaint.

    The zonal manager said that the investigation teams of USC Headquarters Islamabad and zonal teams simultaneously conducting surprise visits at the stores.

    He said that five basic commodities have been provided under the relief package, included: pulses, rice, edible ghee, sugar and wheat flour (Atta).

    On the occasion, Javed Khan, Regional Manager, North said that the corporation had ensured sufficient availability of subsidized items at the stores.

    The regional manager said that the government had granted Rs6 billion for sales of subsidized items through the utility stores.

    He said that a huge demand of those items was expected due to huge gap in prices of subsidized items as compared with the local market.

    Therefore, the region had ensured the sufficient stock at its warehouses as well as at its stores, he added.

    The regional manager also took the media to visit a store which was flooded with subsidized items.

  • Utility Stores Corporation implements Ramazan Package ahead of fasting month: RM Javed Khan

    Utility Stores Corporation implements Ramazan Package ahead of fasting month: RM Javed Khan

    KARACHI: Utility Stores Corporation (USC) has implemented subsidized rates under Ramazan Package announced by the government to provide relief the masses during the holy month, a top official said on Sunday.

    “The reduced rates have been implemented across the country from May 03, 2019 around three or four days ahead of Ramazan,” said Muhammad Javed Khan, USC, Regional Manager (RM), Karachi.

    “All the USC outlets are now selling hundreds of items at the subsidized rates,” he added.

    Khan said that a significant reduction had been announced in those items that were mostly used during the fasting month such as sugar, wheat flour, rice, pulses, edible oil and ghee etc.

    “These commodities have reduced prices up to 20 percent when compared with the open market,” the regional manager added.

    The federal government has provided Rs2 billion to subsidized the rates of essential items to be sold through the Utility Stores.

    The Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet (ECC) in its meeting on March 12 approved subsidy amounting Rs2 billion to provide relief the masses during Ramazan ul Mubarak.

    Javed Khan pointed out some of items having significant reduction in prices, which included: sugar Rs 64 per kilogram, wheat flour Rs340/10-kg, whet gram Rs100/kg, Dal Chana Rs105/kg, Dal Masoor Rs90/kg, vegetable ghee Rs129/kg, edible oil Rs153/liter, Rooh Afza Rs183/800ml, cold drink (all brands) Rs77/1.5 liters, Tapal tea 793/kg, dates Rs60/500 grams, Rice Super Rs114/kg.

    USC price

    The regional manager said that in order to ensure availability and avoid bulk sale the zonal chief had constituted vigilance teams for monitoring.

    He said that on the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan the regional chiefs across the country were also visiting the outlets to ensure the availability and for price checks as well.

    Prime Minister Imran Khan has recently directives all the government functionaries to ensure securities and availability of essential items at reduced rates during the holy month of Ramazan ul Mubarak.

  • ECC may approve sovereign guarantee for Utility Stores Corporation

    ECC may approve sovereign guarantee for Utility Stores Corporation

    ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet (ECC) may grant formal approval for sovereign guarantee for Utility Stores Corporation (USC) in its meeting scheduled for April 17, 2019.

    According to agenda of the ECC meeting scheduled for Wednesday, the ministry of industries and production had proposed for the sovereign guarantee for the public sector store chain in order to overcome its financial crisis.

    The USC is providing consumer items at low priced and subsidized rates to masses. The government has also approved an amount of Rs2 billion for Ramazan package to be provided to masses through the USC.

    In other agenda items, the ECC may approve an amount of Rs700 million in favour of National Commission for Human Development under the ministry of federal education and professional training.

    A supplementary grant of Rs337.02 million likely to be approved in respect of Gilgit-Baltistan Council for Financial Year 2018/2019.

    Provision of supplementary grant of Rs1.33 billion to department of immigration and passport likely to be approved.

    Further, on the recommendation of petroleum ministry, the ECC likely to approve utilization of Railways services by PSO for transportation of petroleum products.