Sindh will be giving Rs15.b billion in Ramazan to 7.8 million families in the shape of a Rs2,000 cash transfer to buy subsidized flour (30kg) at a rate of Rs65 per kilogram.

The cash transfer to the targeted low-income families would be made through the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP). They will get a message on their cell phones. And those who do not receive such a message and have an average income of less than Rs50,000 per month can send a message and their CNIC number to the toll-free 8171 number to inquire about their eligibility for the subsidy.

Approximately 7,810,482 families with BISP’s Proxy Means Test (PMT) score in the range of 1 to 60 are eligible for the cash transfer of Rs2,000 per family in the relief scheme.

The subsidy is 30kg of flour per family at Rs130/kg which will cost Rs15.62 billion.

According to the food department, this is the breakdown:

• Hyderabad region = 2,185,122 families
• Karachi = 2,296,998 families
• Sukkur = 831,975 families
• Larkana = 1,202,984 families
• Shaheed Benazirabad = 773,163 families

Fines for profiteering

The cabinet approved amendments to the “Sindh Essential Commodities Price Control and Prevention of Profiteering and Hoarding Act, 2005”.

Changes have been made to Sections 2, 5, 8, 12, 13, and the First & Second Schedules.

• The fine for failing to display a price list of essential commodities has been increased from Rs50,000 to Rs100,000 for producers or dealers, Rs 20,000 for retailers other than pushcart vendors, and Rs10,000 to Rs20,000 for pushcart vendors.
• The fine for a retailer failing to declare stock of essential commodities has been raised from Rs50,000 to Rs100,000
• The fine for selling commodities at a higher price than the notified/company price has been increased from Rs50,000 to Rs100,000.

The Ghee Mills Association will provide oil and ghee at subsidized rates from 10am to 4pm at bachat bazaars set by Commissioners.

The Utility Stores Corporation has 113 outlets and they will provide 19 items at subsidized rates.