TIMERGARA, Sept 20: The special Ramazan package announced by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz is proving to be an eyewash because utility stores in several parts of Lower Dir district are short of consumer items supposed to be provided on subsidised rates.

During a visit to a utility store in Talash, edible items including flour, cooking oil, ghee, sugar and rice were found to be out of stock.

A staffer told this correspondent that these commodities were in short supply for the last few weeks.

“We have made requests to the authorities, but the stock is yet to be received,” he said.

One of the customers said that the government had claimed to have opened these outlets to help the poor, but the reality was quite different.

He said that the rulers were fooling the people in the name of Ramazan package.

Another customer said that it was his fourth visit to the utility store but he had not found ghee, rice and sugar and other essential items.

He said that wheat flour was not available at any USC.

The store manager said that they often requested for quick and more supply, especially food items, but in vain.

The federal government has opened franchised utility stores in most of the union councils of Dir Lower, but they had failed to provide basic food items to people on subsidised rates.