The Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Information and Broadcasting, Firdous Ashiq Awan, announced Friday that the government will immediately provide Rs6 billion to the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) to reduce commodity prices.
"The amount will substantially reduce the prices of flour, edible oil, sugar, rice and legumes," he said in a tweet.
The SAPM said the decision was taken today at a meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan, which was held to discuss ways to provide help to the masses and reduce commodity prices.
The prime minister made the decision after the president and the managing director of the USC assured the government that with the injection of Rs6bn, the prices of essential items will fall significantly.
After development, the price of 20 kilograms of flour will be reduced in Rs132, sugar in Rs9, rice in Rs20 and legumes in Rs15 per kg.
The prime minister held three consecutive meetings on the subject in the last three days.
Earlier on Thursday, the prime minister had asked senior USC officials to design an aid package to sell five discounted essential foods nationwide, according to sources.
The five products will be available at 4,000 USC outlets throughout the country.
The prime minister had already requested the establishment of a "Special Cell" in the Ministry of National Food Security. The cell will make timely decisions about the evaluation of the demand and the supply of essential items.
Traditionally, the government offers subsidies for essential foods in Ramazan.
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1515651/rs6bn-announced-for-utility-stores-corporation-to-bring-down-prices-of-essential-commodities