KARACHI, Oct 22: The Sindh Cabinet on Tuesday decided to provide wheat to the consumers on subsidized rates on the occasion of Ramazan-ul-Mubarak.

The Cabinet met under the chairmanship of Governor Mohammedmian Soomro and fixed the subsidized rate at Rs750 per 100kgs (Rs125 lesser than the normal rate i.e. Rs875)

The meeting acknowledged that about 200,000 tons of wheat will be disposed of under the special Ramazan package for which the government will provide Rs155 million as subsidy.

The governor told the meeting that the entire process must be made transparent and that only the general public should get the benefit of the package.

The meeting also reviewed the wheat stocks position in the province and discussed in detail their utilization. The provincial Food Secretary, Imtiaz Kazi, gave the participants a briefing in this regard.

The cabinet decided that initially 50,000 tons of wheat would be allowed for export and the quantity be increased if good results achieved.

Earlier, after approving the proceedings of the last meeting, the Cabinet reviewed law and order situation obtaining in the province. The provincial Home Secretary, Brig (R) Mukhtar Ahmed and the IGP, Sindh, briefed the participants in this regard.

The governor took a serious note of the murder of a Kandhkot journalist and expressed his deep sense of grief over his demise. He ordered immediate arrest of the killers and called for more effective measures to protect the life and property of people.

The meeting was informed that one of the culprits involved in the journalist’s murder was arrested while the other two nominated in the FIR would be apprehended soon.

The governor directed the authorities that while providing mobile phone connections, the companies must adhere to the laid down rules and regulations. He called for action against the negligent companies.

The governor issued directive for maintaining vigil on prices of essential commodities during the holy month of Ramazan and ordered action against hoarders and profiteers.

He called for a judicious distribution of irrigation water. He also ordered removal of illegal water pumps and action against those involved in water theft. He said that the drought-affected people of Kohistan should be provided facilities and government package on priority basis.

The governor issued directives to the Board of Revenue and other organizations for bringing transparency in the allotment of land and other matters and called for the establishment of a proper cell which may provide guidance to the people in land matters.

The secretary Excise and Taxation, Aftab Memon, briefed the Cabinet on registration of locally manufactured motorcycles and three-wheelers.

The governor said that a simplified and modified policy be adopted so that efforts for the promotion of investment could get a boost.—APP