Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The rift between Federal Minister Industries and Production and Managing Director Utility Stores Corporation has put the resurgent credibility of USC at stake.

The corrupt mafia in the ministry continuously complained to minster Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi against MD USC Syed Gulzar Shah. On the other hand, the MD regularly disobeys the orders of minister which deteriorates the situation further.

After the implementation of corporate governing rules, the board has been provided full authority in all semi government organisations. This was the very reason that MD Utility Stores Corporation was not listening to the directives of the minister. After the establishment of the independent board, the USC has plunged into the loss of a billion rupees. According to an estimate, the total loss of the corporation has crossed Rs 1.40 billion.

In the beginning the MD performed well, and after his appointment the state of affairs got better and corruption had reduced. It was also noted in USC but with the induction of corporate governing rules, the board began to interfere in the matter. Currently, the board started a computerisation programme in USC by ignoring the orders of MD, which raised many questions.

Some self-interested elements are fanning the flames by expanding the differences between minister and MD USC due to which the working relations of these two important personalities was deteriorating day by day. All steps taken by the MD for the past few months, which caused an increase in sales and decline in corruption have been put on hold due to this breakdown.

Recently the Secretary Industries and Production also told the Standing Committee of the National Assembly that the Utility Stores Corporation was functioning under the independent board, yet the committee held the ministry responsible for losses accruing. It would be better that the board which committed corruption be held responsible.

The major reason of the dispute between the minster and MD is the growing loss and large scale corruption in USC. This loss makes no difference to the health of yje Chairman and board members as the Secretary was answerable to the standing committees of the parliament. The sitting MD Utility Store Corporation Gulzar Shah took several steps to make the chain of stores profitable. He also made arrangements for the provision of subsidies worth Rs 1.75 billion on 22 kitchen items to the customers during the ongoing month of Ramazan.

But on the other hand the employees of some 6,000 utility stores throughout the country have evolved a plan to protest by wearing black armbands until their demands are met. Some of circles close to the government have begun efforts to put an end to the rift between the ministry and USC.