ECC waives off condition, directs to start crushing at earliest

ISLAMABAD: On the commerce ministry's proposal relating to export of sugar, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet Tuesday waived off the condition related to start of sugarcane crushing and directed to start crushing as soon as possible.

The meeting of the ECC was chaired by Finance Minister Asad Umar.

The Committee observed that the matter relating to freight support for exports fall in the domain of the respective provincial governments.

With regard to the outstanding claims for the previous years, the committee directed Finance Division to release the budgeted amounts.

The ECC also allowed allocation of up to 30 MMCFD gas from Zafir field, district Sanghar, to Sui Southern Gas Company Limited.

The ECC also considered proposal from Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) for allocation of 66 MMCFD Mari Deep Gas to MPCL and approved the same.

The Committee sought further proposals on the utilization of the gas for power generation or production of fertilizer.

The ECC recommended to the Cabinet a case for supplementary grant of Rs1.80 billion for agriculture tube well subsidy as proposed by Ministry of Energy (Power Division).

The ECC discussed a report submitted by Ministry of Industries and Production on measures to ensure availability of Urea fertilizer in the country and the possible impact on the price of urea owing to use of RLNG due to shortage of system gas in winter.

The Committee also expressed its deep appreciation for the Power Division for having initiated a successful drive for reduction of losses and improvement of recoveries.