June 26, 2003	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 25,1424

ISLAMABAD, June 25: The government is considering a proposal to compensate the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) against collection of GST on sale of goods at its outlets and enhance its quota on the sale of foreign goods confiscated by the customs authorities.

Industries and Production Minister Liaquat Ali Jatoi on Wednesday told a meeting on USC that he was taking up recommendations of the USC regarding GST issue, enhancement of quota of confiscated goods by the customs authorities with the finance ministry and tax authorities.

He said he would also take up the matter with the chief secretaries of the provinces for provision of free accommodation to the USC staff at district level.

The minister directed the corporation to provide more relief to the common man in the prices and there should be no compromise on quality, quantity and availability of all the products.

He said strict action would be taken on the complaints of the general public against high prices, sub-standard items, less quantity and non-availability of the daily items. He said it was government’s social commitment to provide relief to the common man in the prices and the USC was the only welfare organization that could fulfil this commitment.

He said the government would provide financial assistance to the corporation so that it ran business on no-loss-no-profit basis. He said the government had already extended a grant of Rs150 million and would soon clear liabilities of the corporation.

He asked the USC to open more stores in other parts of the country, particularly in the rural areas to provide relief to the low-income people.

Earlier, USC managing director said the corporation had reduced its losses by taking strict administrative steps and closing its unviable stores. He said the USC was providing relief of five to 15 per cent in the prices as compared to the market.

Almost all the products of national and international brands are available in the stores. The meeting was told that the USC had reduced its expenditures by 56 per cent this year as compared to the last year, while its sales had increased by 15 per cent this year as compared to the last year.

He said that as compared to the May 2002, the prices of various items like sugar, pulses and red chillies had reduced by 11 to 23 per cent this year in the utility stores.