ISLAMABAD, Dec 20: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Wednesday announced that sugar, flour and grams would be sold at the utility stores at 10 to 12 per cent lower prices than those in the open market under an Eidul Azha package.

While presiding over a meeting, Mr Aziz asked the four chief ministers to keep vigil through price magistrates against artificial price hike on the occasion of Eid.

Under the package approved by the prime minister, sugar will be available at utility stores at Rs26 per kg, flour at Rs11 per kg, dal chana at Rs30 per kg, masoor at Rs31 per kg, moong at Rs47 per kg and mash at Rs58 per kg.

The prices would come into effect from Thursday, said a press release.

The prime minister said the reduction would facilitate people and have a positive impact on the prices in the open market.

He urged people to shop at utility stores, saying that the commodities were available in sufficient quantity.

The Utility Stores Corporation managing director informed the prime minister that the government had opened a large number of utility stores during the past few months. He said 740 utility stores were functioning across the country and the number would soon be increased to 1,000.

The prime minister said the provincial governments should set up more sasta, Eid, Sunday and Friday bazaars so that people could get essential commodities at affordable prices.

GAS PRICES: The government is likely to cut gas prices by six to seven per cent from Jan 1, 2007, adds PPI