KARACHI, Dec 29: The Utility Stores Corporation (USC) has issued 120 licences for opening franchise utility stores, out of 1,400 applications.

Of the 120 applications, some 15 stores have been opened all over the country. Two stores were opened in Karachi on Friday. The USC was expecting to receive 2,400 applications under the Phase-I of the Rozgar Scheme announced by the government in September.

So far, not a new single mobile store has been opened under the Rozgar Scheme despite the fact that it requires Rs 40,000-50,000 investment from a person to lift the one week quota of essential items from the godowns of the USC and sell it on allotted spots by the Corporation.

USC managing director Brig (retd) Hafeez Ahmed, who was in Karachi for opening two franchise stores at Gulberg and Korangi, told Dawn that the main aim of opening franchise stores under Rozgar scheme was to provide jobs to people, besides providing an opportunity to consumers to get items on cheaper rates.

He said many people have obtained loans from the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) for opening franchise stores while the USC is also entertaining those who are wiling to open stores on their own capital. A franchise store can be opened at an investment of Rs 150,000-300,000.

Mr Hafeez said currently some 740 regular stores exist in the country while there are 450 mobile stores. In the next two months, some 240 more regular stores will be opened while the number of mobile stores is likely to rise to 600.

The USC MD claimed that the utility stores now cater to the needs of 40 to 50 per cent of the total population in sugar sale as compared to local markets while in other items, like pulses, rice, flour, etc., some 25 to 30 per cent consumers, out of total population make their purchases from the utility stores.

He did not agree that consumers were still facing problems in standing in long queues outside the utility stores for purchase of essential items.

He added that situation has now changed since the supplies of the items have improved, coupled with expanding of network.

He said people are making a beeline because of vast difference in prices, especially in atta and sugar which are respectively priced at Rs110 per 10 kg, and Rs 26 per kg as compared to Rs 130 and Rs 30 per kg.