KARACHI: Federal Industries and Production Minister Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo said Monday that the government had developed a long term policy to deal with sugar crisis and one million metric tonnes of sugar would be imported next year.
‘One million metric tonnes of sugar will be imported next year to meet shortage of this essential commodity,’ he said while responding to a question at the 5th consumers’ choice award ceremony organised by the Consumers Association of Pakistan (CAP) at a local hotel.
He said that the decision has been taken to ensure the sufficient availability of sugar in the country next year and keep the commodity’s rates well balanced.
Wattoo pointed out that the PM Gilani had directed the Ministry of Industries and Production to provide sugar to people through Utility Stores Corporation at Rs38 per kg.
He said that Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) would supply 100,000 metric tonnes of sugar to the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) for this purpose. TCP has procured this sugar at Rs65 per kg, but it is being sold to consumers at Rs38 per kg, he added.
The minister said that the government was providing a subsidy of Rs27 per kg to make sure that common man should get the sugar at affordable rates.
However, he made it clear that sugar rates were very high in neighbouring India and Afghanistan and therefore this situation will certainly impact sugar prices in Pakistan.
The minister also maintained that since the start of new crushing season, the situation regarding the availability of sugar at Rs40 per kg had also changed.
The sugar price will be decided on the basis of its supply and demand in the open market and the government cannot fix sugar prices anymore, he said.—APP
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