ECC approves Ramazan Package
The ECC, which met here with Federal Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh in the chair, discussed a number of summaries including the Ramazan Package and 'Subsidy on Sale of Wheat in Gilgit- Baltistan.
The ECC formed a committee to devise a system for subsidy ensuring that people may get its benefit instead of stockers and hoarders.
The ECC was informed that the Prime Minister himself had desired to have a detailed meeting on the issue of subsidies besides the approval of the price package for the sixteen essential edible items.
The Ministry of Industries submitted a statement containing current prices and corresponding subsidies accorded on the items, which was duly approved by the ECC.
The ECC decided that the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) would be provided 200,000 matric tons of wheat during the holy month of Ramazan.
The current market price of wheat flour (atta) is Rs 28.50 per kg while its current rate at USC is Rs 26.50 per Kg which will be further reduced during Ramazan and it will be available at 22.50 per Kg which is Rs.6 less than market price.
Similarly the ECC decided that the USC would get 5,500 MT of Ghee/oil during Ramazan. The current market price of Ghee/Oil is Rs.170-175 per Kg while its rate at USC is Rs.162 per Kg and during the Ramazan the commodity will be further reduced and available at Rs.147 per Kg which is Rs.23-28 per Kg less than market prices.
The ECC further decided that the USC would get 4,000 MT of Dal Channa during Ramazan. The current market price of Dal Chana is Rs.78-80 per Kg while its rate at USC is Rs.77 per Kg and during the Ramazan it will be available at Rs.67 per Kg which is Rs.11-13 per Kg less than market prices.
It was decided that the USC would get 3,000 MT of white gram during Ramazan. The current market price of white gram is Rs.150-155 per Kg while its rate at USC is Rs.142 per Kg and during Ramazan it will be available at Rs.132 per Kg which is Rs.18-23 per Kg less than market price.
Similarly the ECC decided that the USC would get 1,200 MT of Dall Mong during the holy month. The current market price of Dall Mong is Rs.135-140 per Kg while its rate at USC is Rs.132 per Kg and during Ramazan it will be available at Rs.122 per Kg which is Rs.13-18 per Kg less than market price.
The ECC also decided that the USC would get 1,000 MT of Dall Mash during Ramazan.The current market price of Dall Mash is Rs.140-145 per Kg while its rate at USC is Rs.138 per Kg and during Ramazan it will be available at Rs.128 per Kg which is Rs.12-17 per Kg less than market price.
Likewise the ECC decided that the USC would get 3,000 MT of Baisen (Chakki). Its current market price is Rs.80 per Kg while its rate at USC is Rs.73 per Kg and during Ramazan it will be available at Rs. 63 per Kg which is Rs.17 per Kg less than market price.
The ECC further decided that the USC would get 400 MT of Dates (Khajoo) during Ramazan. Its current market price is Rs.130-140 per Kg while its rate at USC is Rs.120 per Kg and during Ramazan the dates (Khajoor) will be available at Rs. 110 per Kg which is Rs.20-30 per Kg less than market price.
Similarly the ECC decided that the USC would get 3,000 MT Rice Basmati during the holy month of Ramazan. Its current market price is Rs.90-95 per Kg while its rate at USC is Rs.84 per Kg and during Ramazan it will be available at Rs.74 per Kg which is Rs.06-21 per Kg less than market price.
The ECC also decided that the USC would get 2,000 MT Rice Sella during Ramazan. Its current market price is Rs.90-95 per Kg while its rate at USC is Rs.84 per Kg and during Ramazan it will be available at Rs.74 per Kg which is Rs.06-21 per Kg less than market price.
Likewise ECC also decided that the USC would get 4,000 MT Broken Rice during the holy month of Ramazan. Its current market price is Rs.60-65 per Kg while its rate at USC is Rs.61 per Kg and during Ramazan it will be available at Rs.51 per Kg which is Rs.11 per Kg less than market price.
It also decided that the USC would sell Syrup (Sharbat), Squaches, tea (90 gram) and milk tetra pack by Rs.15, Rs.21, Rs.45 and Rs.6 respectively less than market rates.
All spices will be available at 10 per cent discount rates during the holy month at the USC.
The Chairman of the Committee directed the authority concerned to ensure availability of the items throughout Ramazan, and that there should no complaint of their shortage or deficiency.
The USC and Ministry of Industries and Production assured the Finance Minister and the committee of installing separate counters for sale of the subsidized items during Ramazan.
The ECC Chairman asked the Ministry of Industries to keep monitoring teams alert throughout the country to ensure availability of these items at counters.
On the summaries moved by the Ministry of Industries, the committee constituted a committee headed by the Finance Minister to have further deliberations on import of urea for Kharif 2011 and Rabi 2011-12.
The committee comprises Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Water and Power, Dy Chairman Planning Commission, Dr Asim Hussain, Minister for Petroleum, and Secretary Industries.
The ECC also approved the request made by the Minister of Water and Power for the waiver of Demmurage and Detention Charges for 425 MW Combined Cycle Power Project at Nandipur being implemented by the Northern Power Generation Company subject to approval by the Law Division. And in case Law Division raises objections, the matter shall be reffered to the Cabinet for further discussion.
It may be mentioned here that machinery for the power generation is lying at the Karachi Port whose authorities are asking for following proper the procedure for its release.
The ECC approved 425 MW Combined Cycle Power Project Nandipur, District Gujranwala in its meeting held on 27.12.2007 at an agreed price of 329 million dollars. However, it was subject to the provision of guarantee by the Ministry of Finance for the loan of 329 million dollars.
On the request for purchase of 50,000 metric tons sugar from Pakistan Sugar Mills Association, the ECC was of the view that in the wake of the satisfactory situation of its reserves, the procurement was not required till December.
However, the ECC Chairman agreed on holding a meeting with the authorities concerned in this regard with him within next two days.
The ECC meeting was attended by the ministers and secretaries concerned, and chairmen of corporations.
Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011