ISLAMABAD, Feb 9: The government is planning to open 1,500 more Utility Stores Corporation (USC) outlets to cover all union councils.

USC managing director Brig (retd) Hafeez Ahmed informed the Senate Standing Committee on Industries and Production at a meeting that with the addition of the proposed 1,500 outlets the total number of outlets would reach 6,000.The meeting was presided over by the chairperson of the Committee, Senator Anis A. Zeb Tahirkheli.

The committee was informed that the ‘Bachat Card Scheme’ launched by the government was intended to help 6.8 million extremely poor families of the country, whose data was obtained from the relevant government agencies and departments, including Nadra and Baitul Maal. Every household was considered to comprise at least six people, it was told.

The meeting reviewed the losses incurred by the industrial sector in the backdrop of the Dec 27 assassination of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto. Members of the committee recommended full insurance recovery for the affected industrial units.

They called for seeking suggestions from the people belonging to the industrial sector in policy making and enhancing competitiveness in the face of mounting international challenges and competition.

The ministry of industries secretary said that if rail link was improved, the country would be able to export five million tonnes of cement daily to India.

The meeting discussed ways to avoid wheat shortage in future. The members stressed the need for strict implementation of policies at the federal, provincial, district and tehsil levels. They suggested measures for improving skills of industrial workers.

The meeting appreciated the establishment of the ‘Sundar Industrial Estate’ near Lahore.