ISLAMABAD, July 29: The Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan (USCP) is facing a deficit of Rs600 million, said the managing director of USCP, Brig Hafeez Ahmad, at a press conference, here on Monday.

He alleged that Rs100 million was embezzled during 1995-99 which caused untold losses to the organization.

“In this regard, a number of cases are pending with the National Accountability Bureau,” he said adding “I hope the corporation will return to its normal course of action with the passage of time.”

To a question, he said, the restructuring of the corporation could only be possible if the government provided us with the money that had allegedly been extorted by the ex- managing director.

“We have asked the government to provide us Rs600 so that the corporation can be restructured on modern lines.”

He told mediapersons that when the corporation started its services thirty years ago, there were 900 utility stores allover the country but the number had been reduced to 350 due to mismanagement.

To another question, he said, “we don’t compromise on quality and have our own laboratory to verify the quality of products.”

He said the USCP has launched a prize draw scheme throughout the country. A customer, who would buy Rs300 utility items in one go, would be given a coupon which would be included in the monthly draw.

PPI adds: Brig Hafeez said the scheme would be valid for three months with prizes of one Suzuki Alto Car, one Honda CD-70 motorbike, 3 refrigerators, 10 bicycles, 10 washing machines, 20 pressure cookers, 20 water coolers, 50 calculators, 200 ladies imported suits and 50 wrist watches in each draw.

He said the coupon consisting of three parts would be provided to the customer. “One part of the coupon will be given to the consumer, second part will be put in a sealed box and the third one will be filed in the record department of the store.”