HYDERABAD, April 25: The Utility Stores Corporation (USC) Managing Director Brig (Retd) Hafizullah Khan said on Wednesday that the government planned to set up a store in each taluka headquarter and USC franchises in 6,000 union councils of the country by June this year.

Mr Khan said at a news conference at the press club that the corporation had almost achieved the target of raising the number of stores from 450 to 1,000 with 850 already established.

He said that the basic objective behind the establishment of Utility Stores was to provide people quality goods at reduced prices. As a spin-off effect, the stores had also led to stability in market prices, he said.

The government had planned to raise the number of stores as well as warehouses from 10 to 31, Mr Khan said and added that goods for Utility Stores were directly purchased from the factories hence it ensured quality of commodities and reduced prices.

The USC had invited applications from people under the residential self-employment scheme for opening up USC franchises.

The corporation had so far taken action against more than 50 officers and staff following complaints and the stores had provided Rs2 billion relief to consumers during last 18 months, he said.