Islamabad: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on Monday approved an additional 200,000 metric tonnes (MT) of wheat — worth PKR 8.690 billion — for the Utility Stores Corporation (USC), a news source reported.
As per the publication, the USC will receive the wheat from the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO). In addition to the PKR 8.690 billion expenditure, the operation will cost PKR 1.690 billion more in incidental charges.
Adviser to the Prime Minister (PM) on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh chaired the ECC meeting; during which an additional decision was made to hand over the wheat to the USC in tranches. The USC will receive the first tranche of 50,000 MT immediately, and the rest will be provided when the corporation asks for it. Hafeez also directed the authorities to digitize the records of PASSCO and USC so that transparency could be ensured.
In addition, Hafeez asked the Poverty Alleviation Division to observe efficiency and transparency in the distribution of funds to the deserving and needy families in the wake of the coronavirus breakout. The Secretary of Poverty Alleviation Division reiterated his commitment to maintaining transparency and further informed that 1.7 million families had been given relief funds under the Ehsaas Program.
