Govt facilitates nation in providing more efficient and transparent subsidies

Islamabad : Utility Stores Corporation with the government of Pakistan facilitates the nation in providing more efficient and transparent subsidies to the people under the Prime Minister Relief Package.
Keeping in mind the difficulties and problems faced by the nation, the Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has announced to provide targeted subsidies on basic daily routine food items through Utility Stores Corporation. These items include flour, sugar, ghee, rice, and pulses. The subsidy will be available from the 1st of January 2023.
Consumers and buyers who are enrolled in the Benazir Income support program (BISP) and whose poverty index score is equal to or below PMT-32 will be provided special targeted Subsidies on these essential food items which include flour, rice, pulses, sugar, and ghee.
For these registered consumers with BISP flour will be available at Rs. 400 per 10 kg bag, ghee for Rs. 300 per kg, and sugar for Rs. 70 per kg. However, Rs. 15 to 20 will be saved on rice and pulses per kg. The monthly purchase limit for these consumers has also been set, according to which they can buy 40 kg of flour, 5 kg of sugar, and 5 kg of ghee monthly.
Besides them, all other consumers of Utility Stores Corporation will also be provided subsidies on these five food items under the Prime Minister Relief Package.
For these consumers, the flour will be provided at Rs 648 per 10 kg bag, ghee at Rs 375 per kg, and sugar at Rs 89 per kg. Meanwhile, a Rs 15 to 20 per kg discount on the purchase of pulses and rice will also be given. The monthly purchase limit for these consumers is also set according to which they can buy 20 kg of flour, 3 kg of sugar, and 3 kg of ghee.
For the people of Khyber Pakhtun Khwa, the flour will be provided for Rs 400 per 10 kg bag at all the sales points and mobile stores established on the instruction of the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
All the consumers/customers are requested to send their I.D card numbers from their mobile phones to 5566 through SMS. They will receive a one-time password (OTP) after which they can avail subsidy and can purchase items. This OTP is applicable at all Utility Stores.
This new system will facilitate the consumers in buying the subsidized items in a very transparent manner and will also save their time. Through this new system availing subsidy on these five food items (flour, ghee, sugar, pulses, and rice) will be easier and the rights of the deserving consumer will not be violated.
However, this is to be noted that the ID card and One-time password are only required for the subsidized food items not otherwise. With this new and modern system, Utility Stores Corporation will be able to function more effectively and with better transparency. This system will ensure better and more efficient monitoring of the subsidy being provided to the people.