The federal government has allocated Rs6.484 billion for the implementation of the Ramzan Package, aiming to provide essential food items at subsidized prices through the Utility Stores Corporation throughout the month of Ramzan.
As per sources, a substantial portion of the allocated amount, Rs3.474 billion, will be dedicated to providing a subsidy for atta (flour), followed by Rs1.610 billion for sugar, and Rs1.4 billion for ghee. Furthermore, specific subsidies include Rs25 million for daal channa, Rs12 million for daal masoor, Rs37.50 million for white gram, and Rs62.5 million for rice Basmati. Additionally, Rs20 million and Rs62.5 million have been allocated for subsidies on rice (sehlla) and broken rice, respectively.
In addition to the aforementioned items, the government will extend subsidies in the form of Rs200 million for cooking oil, Rs20 million for daal moong (washed), Rs6.25 million for daal maash (washed), Rs100 million for baisen (chakki), Rs50 million for dates, Rs22.50 million for carbonated drinks (1,500ml bottle), Rs30 million for squash and syrup (800ml bottle), Rs150 million for black tea, Rs15 million for milk (UHT), and Rs50 million for spices.
An allocation of Rs145 million has been earmarked for an extensive awareness campaign on electronic and print media regarding the Ramzan Package, scheduled to commence on Monday, 4th March 2024.
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved the Ministry of Industries and Production’s proposal for a Rs7.492 billion Ramzan Relief Package, facilitating the provision of 19 essential items at subsidized rates through the Utility Stores Corporation.
To adhere to International Monetary Fund (IMF) restrictions on un-targeted subsidies, the government has sanctioned subsidies for the targeted beneficiaries registered under BISP (Benazir Income Support Program) PMT-40 for the fiscal year 2023-24. Currently, the USC is serving 26.92 million households under PMT-40, and in an effort to reach a broader audience during Ramzan-2024, the proposal suggests disbursement of subsidies to targeted beneficiaries under PMT-60, reaching an additional 12.73 million households.
