Just like the previous year, we again have a Ramzan relief package. Government announced a 2.1 billion rupees Ramazan package on Friday as reported by The Daily Times. The relief fund will be used for providing food items at special discounted rates in the utility stores all over the country. As much as 400 items will be made available on the discounted prices in a total of 5700 Utility Stores across the country.
The relief package will take effect from 20th August and the discounted products will be available from this date till the end of Ramazan. However one wonders how will the government manage the continuous supply of the discounted items as a serious shortage of Sugar has already been witnessed in the Utility Stores in the whole country. According to sources the daily sugar quota of each Utility Store is around 200 to 300 bags which is way less than the actual demand of the costumers (500-800 bags per day). Pertinent to know that Sugar is being sold at a discounted rate of Rs 38 per Kg in Utility Stores while in the open market it ranges between Rs 50 to Rs 55 per Kg.
Talking to media, the minister of Industries and Production, Mr. Manzoor Wattoo said:
The total subsidy that the government has offered under the package is estimated at Rs 1.12 billion while a Rs 980 million subsidy is being given on sugar alone.
According to the Ramazan relief package, grams, gram floors, rice and pulses will be available in the Utility Stores with a 10% discounted while Wheat floor will get a discount of flat 5 Rupees per Kg. Apart from this, costumers will also enjoy a discount of 5% on their total purchase at the utility store.
Only announcing a relief package is of no use. Is there anyone who can ensure the implementation of this package till the end of ramazan? I am sure the answer is no. There is no single responsible person in the so-called government who dare to take this responsibility on his shoulders. And I am telling you that in the end everyone on the both sides (government and shopkeepers) will be blaming each other.