ISLAMABAD: Federal Cabinet has given approval to a subsidy of two billion rupees per month for a period of five months to Utility Stores Corporation for provision of edible items of daily use to the people at affordable rates.

This was decided during the meeting of the federal cabinet held in Islamabad with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan giving a briefing to media in Islamabad said the package will help ensure availability of flour, sugar, rice and pulses among other edible items at USC outlets at reasonable rates. The USC has been further directed that 20 kg flour bag be sold at 800 rupees while pulses at 15-20 percent less prices than market.

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She said the government will also devise a strategy to keep a check on prices of essential edible items.

“Government’s economic team, ministry of commerce and other institutions including Utility Stores Corporation gave a detailed briefing to the prime minister,” she said.

The Cabinet gave approval to lift ban on import of sugar to ensure supply of this commodity. She said export of sugar had been banned and a strategy was being devised to remove regulatory duty on the commodity.

She said 4.3 million women were being given 2,000 rupees monthly under Ehsaas program. The number would reach 70 million by end of the following year.

The special assistant said the prime minister had directed his team to devise a mechanism to reduce the prices of gas and electricity in phase wise manner to reduce the burden of inflation on people.

She said that, Under Ehsaas Fee Support Program, the government would provide 750 rupees for male students and 1000 rupees per female students. She said under Ehsas Nutrition program, which will be launched in March, 20,000 women will get its benefit and it would be further expanded in future. She said under Ehsaas Langar Khana program, 100 more langar khana would be established the following year across the country with public private partnership.

Firdous said that the health advisor briefed the meeting about government initiatives in preventing Coronavirus.

She said that the cabinet also directed to prepare a comprehensive strategy to control the prices of electricity and gas along with the causes of rising prices. She said the report will also be shared with media and general public.