Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday informed the Senate that the government had disbursed Rs5.4 billion so far under a targeted fuel subsidy programme besides providing Rs4.61 billion support to small farmers in view of rising international fuel prices.
Responding to a Calling Attention Notice moved by Senator Mohsin Aziz about the recent increase in prices of petroleum products and its impact on costs of industrial productions and national economy, the minister said the government announced the relief package after tensions in the Middle East led to an increase in global oil prices.
He said an overall subsidy of Rs129 billion was provided to reduce the burden on the public.
Aurangzeb said the government initially offered a general subsidy but later shifted to a targeted programme so that relief could reach motorcycle owners, public transport users, transport operators and small farmers.
He said around 800,000 motorcycle owners had benefited from the scheme, while financial assistance ranging from Rs35,000 to Rs100,000 was provided to passenger and goods transport vehicles.
The minister said Rs3.5 billion had been distributed among more than 105,000 eligible vehicle owners in the first phase, while another Rs1.9 billion had been disbursed among over 65,000 beneficiaries in the second phase through a transparent verification system based on vehicle registration data. He said the programme was implemented with the cooperation of provincial governments to ensure that relief reached deserving people and to help keep transport fares under control.
Aurangzeb said the government would continue efforts to protect low-income groups from the impact of higher fuel prices while maintaining economic stability. He said that further details about the economy would be shared during the presentation of the Economic Survey and the federal budget.