Govt increases sugar price by Rs 10/kg at USC

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

ISLAMABAD: The government, on Monday, announced Rs 10 increase in sugar price at Utility Stores Corporation outlets. The sweetener would now be available at Rs 65 per kilogramme against previous rate of Rs 55.

USC Managing Director Mohammad Arif Khan told a press conference that the government would be subsidising the product by Rs 10 even after the increase in price. He said the government was forced to take the step because of a huge rise in sugar prices in the open market. However, he assured that it was a stopgap measure and the situation is likely to improve after new supplies arrive in market at the end of this month. Khan said that government had abundant stocks of sugar and increase in supply to USC would bring down the prices automatically. In order to discourage higher prices in the open market, the corporation is selling the product in two and five kilogramme packets, and people could purchase it by registering their computerised national identity card (CNIC) number. Production of CNIC has been made mandatory for purchase of sugar at USC outlets.

Khan claimed that, presently, the government was providing 35 to 45 thousand tonnes of sugar to USC, which is being sold through 5,700 stores in 6,200 union councils across the country. He said the subsidised sugar would be available to the general public at Sunday and Friday bazaars. He claimed that the USC had sufficient stocks of the product, adding that it was being supplied by the Trading Corporation of Pakistan. Special arrangements were being made for the new crushing season, Khan added. Answering a question, he said about 700 stores were being run through public-private partnership. Khan said unemployed youths in remote areas could open USC stores in 15 days by fulfilling minimum conditions.