ISLAMABAD: Utility Stores Corporation (USC) has proposed Rs 1.733 billion subsidy for Ramazan Relief Package in order to provide daily-use goods on controlled rates to facilitate people during the holy month. The corporation intends to provide 19 essential commodities on subsidised rates to facilitate the middle income and lower income people through its countrywide network, said an official. Talking to reporters on Monday, he said that the USC had proposed Rs 4 per kilogramme subsidy on flour, Rs 5 per kg on sugar and Rs 15 per kg on cooking oil respectively, whereas it had proposed Rs 10-15 per kg subsidy on different pulses including moong, mash and gram. Besides, Rs 30 per kg subsidy was proposed on dates and Rs 25 per kg on gramme flour and Rs 15 per kg on rice, where as Rs 50 per kg tea, he added. He said that 50,000 metric tonnes of flour, 40,000 metric tonnes sugar and 30,000 metric tonnes of cooking oil would be provided on controlled rates to consumers through its outlets across the country. Additionally, USC will also reduce the prices of essential food and non-food items under different brands from 5 percent to 10 percent by obtaining special discount from the vendors and suppliers, he said. Published in Daily Times, April 24th 2018.