October 26, 2003	Sunday	Sha’aban 29, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Oct 25: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) approved here on Saturday the Ramazan relief package with a view to provide relief to the common man during the holy month.

The package includes reduction of up to 10 per cent in the price of pulses, rice, basin, squashes/syrups, dates, pickles, milk and spices, and up to five per cent in prices of tea, sugar and ghee on the existing Utility Stores Corporation’s (USC’s) tariff sheet.

The news prices will become effective from Oct 27 and will be good until Nov 30. The commodities mentioned would be available to the consumers at the reduced listed prices during the holy month of Ramazan from all outlets of the USC.

The meeting was presided over by finance minister Shaukat Aziz.

The ECC also reviewed prices of essential items and noted that average rate of inflation for the first quarter of current financial year was down to 1.78 per cent compared to the same period of last year.

It noted that in view of upcoming Ramazan, the provincial governments had been requested to set up fair price bazaars and ensure better supply of essential commodities during the month to stabilise prices.

It further directed the provincial governments to ensure adequate releases of wheat to flour mills to keep the prices of flour under check.