ISLAMABAD: The Minis­­try of Industries and Pro­duction on Monday again assured the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) of ensuring a fair price of vegetable ghee and cooking oil to consumers.

The assurance came from Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar when the committee raised its concerns over the persistent increase in edible oil price in domestic market. The utility stores also raised per kg ghee price by Rs30 last week.

Mr Azhar, however, updated the committee about the corrective measures being taken by his ministry to ensure fair prices of vegetable ghee/cooking oil.

The meeting chaired by Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh was attended by National Food Security & Research Minister Fakhar Imam, Special Assistant on Revenue Dr Waqar Masood, senior officials of federal and provincial governments.

Mr Hammad directed the provinces to expedite provision of estimates regarding sugar stock needed during the current year. The Utility Stores Corporation (USC) has already made an arrangement for import of 50,000 tonnes of sugar to ensure its availability at a discounted price, he stated.

Ministry of Industries and Production Secretary Afzal Latif briefed the meeting about 11 most essential commodities being offered by the USC at subsidised prices. The network of USC is playing an important role in providing essential items at discounted prices compared to market rates, he added.

MNFS&R Secretary Ghufran Memon apprised the NPMC about the sufficient stock of wheat across the country. The NPMC noted price disparity in prices of wheat flour among provinces and directed Mr Memon to coordinate with representatives of the provincial governments to ensure smooth supply of wheat at fair prices across the board.

Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2021