” Ramadan package 2024: No discount on three essential items ” | GNN INFO

ISLAMABAD: The government’s Ramadan relief package 2024, valued at Rs 7.5 billion, will exclude discounted rates for three essential commodities at utility stores.

Sugar, flour, and ghee will not see price reductions despite the package announcement, as confirmed by utility store authorities.

Reportedly, sugar will remain at Rs 109 per kg for Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) beneficiaries, while flour will be priced at Rs 648 for a 10 kg bag. Ghee will be available at Rs 365 per kg.

The decision to maintain current prices stems from the assertion that rates are already discounted for BISP beneficiaries. Originally scheduled to commence on March 4, the relief package implementation has been pushed to March 5.

First Roza in Pakistan likely on March 12

The Federal Cabinet approved the Rs 7.49 billion Ramadan relief package 2024 on February 22, prioritizing support as the holy month approaches. The Ministry of Industries proposed subsidies for BISP beneficiaries registered under PMT-60, with Rs 5 billion already allocated for the current fiscal year’s Ramzan Relief Package-2024. The remaining Rs 2.492 billion will be reallocated from the Prime Minister Relief Package (PMRP) budget.

The Utility Stores Corporation (USC) currently caters to 26.92 million households registered under PMT-40. To extend support to more beneficiaries during Ramzan-2024, the proposal suggests redirecting subsidies to 19 items for households registered under PMT-60, potentially reaching an additional 12.73 million households.