Over Rs6.4 billion allocated for Ramzan subsidies: Essential items to be available at reduced rates

The government has earmarked Rs6.484 billion to provide essential food items at subsidised rates through the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) during the holy month of Ramzan.

A substantial portion of the allocation, Rs3.474 billion, will go towards subsidising flour, followed by Rs1.610 billion for sugar and Rs1.4 billion for ghee.

Additionally, subsidies of Rs25 million for channa daal, Rs12 million for masoor daal, Rs37.50 million for white gramme, and Rs62.5 million for basmati rice are planned. Further, Rs20 million and Rs62.5 million are allocated for Sehlla rice and broken rice, respectively.

The implementation of the Ramzan relief package is set to commence on March 4th.

Further breakdown reveals Rs200 million for cooking oil, Rs20 million for washed moong daal, Rs6.25 million for washed maash daal, Rs100 million for chakki baisen, Rs50 million for dates, Rs22.50 million for carbonated drinks (1,500 ml), Rs30 million for squash and syrup (800 ml), Rs150 million for black tea, Rs15 million for UHT milk, and Rs50 million for spices.

Moreover, an allocation of Rs145 million is designated for an awareness campaign through electronic and print media regarding the Ramzan Package, set to kick off on March 4th, 2024.

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has greenlit the Ministry of Industries and Production’s proposal for a Rs7.492 billion Ramzan Relief Package. This package aims to provide 19 essential items at subsidised rates through the USC.

In response to IMF restrictions on untargeted subsidies, the government has opted to provide subsidies exclusively to beneficiaries registered under the PMT-40 of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) for the fiscal year 2023–24.