The federal government on Monday launched the “sasta ghee” scheme to help people buy the edible oil product at subsidised rates at the Utility Stores, the third such assistance for the people after the cheap flour, petrol, and diesel plan for the people, amid the rising inflation.

“The incumbent government is trying to provide relief to the people,” Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.

Marriyum said that subsidies on the government started on June 9 on the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The government on May 25 launched worth Rs28 billion ‘sasta petrol, sasta diesel’ scheme – a monthly stipend programme for households having a monthly income below Rs40,000 – after it jacked up the petrol prices by Rs30 to get IMF bailout package.

Sasta ghee scheme

The government was providing Rs250 worth of subsidy on the per kilogramme of ghee, bringing its price to Rs300/kg at utility stores. The market price of ghee is more than Rs500.

Moreover, a price monitoring scheme is also formed to ensure the price and counter the smuggling of the products.

Sasta aata scheme

She also spoke about the ‘sasta aata’ scheme under which a 10kg flour bag was being sold at Rs400 at the utility stores – government-based superstores set up to provide basic commodities at the subsidised rates. But, people have complained about the quality of the products.

The cheap flour scheme was also expanded to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by providing as many as 100 mobile vans to provide it to deserving households. And, 500 stationary stations were also set up for the purpose. So far, the government has set up 700 mobile vans and 600 stationary units.

As many as 262,434 bags of flour have been provided to the people through 600 sale points. “0800-05590 is the toll-free number where people can contact if they have not got the flour through stationary and mobile vans,” Marriyum said.

Moreover, the government has also allocated 051-111-123-570, another toll-free number, for complaints about price differences or substandard materials at the USC.