ISLAMABAD, March 3: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Saturday announced a cut of Rs6 per kg in ghee and cooking oil prices.
Speaking at a pres conference here, he said that ghee and cooking oil would be available at Rs67.30 per kg at utility stores in one and two kg packs from March 10.
He said 20,000 tons of cooking oil would be provided through the utility stores each month under this package. He said that despite a 36 per cent increase in palm oil and soyabean oil prices in the international market, the government had decided to provide relief to the lower income group through the utility stores.
The prime minister pointed out that by reducing rates of cement, sugar, pulses and gas, the government had proved the notion wrong that rates of commodities could not be brought down after hike in the prices. He said the national economy had registered an improvement and the government was transferring the impact to the people.
He said the government was providing Rs8 billion subsidy on kitchen items. The prime minister said the government would further empower the Monopoly Control Authority to effectively check monopolistic tendencies and artificial price-hike.
Mr Aziz said that at present there were 800 utility stores and 100 franchised points in the country, adding that 200 more franchised points would be opened within one month.
The prime minister said the government had provided Rs8 billion subsidy on essential commodities to the consumers last year. He said the government had ensured that the prices of essential items were strictly monitored.
