ECC forms four-member committee to oversee Ramazan package implementation

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the federal cabinet has directed the Utility Stores Corporation to expedite the procurement of essential food items to provide timely relief to people in the holy month of Ramazan.

The committee, in its session chaired by Finance Minister Asad Umar on Wednesday, also approved various demands of divisions and ministries for supplementary and technical supplementary grants.

During the session, a four member-committee headed by Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed was also constituted to oversee the implementation of the Ramazan package.

The committee was also given a presentation about status of the Ramazan package. The Committee directed Utility Stores Corporation (USC) to expedite the procurement of essential consumer items to provide timely relief to the masses in Ramazan.

The committee also directed the finance ministry and National Bank of Pakistan to extend maximum facilitation to the Utility Stores Corporation in this regard.

Govt to phase out supplementary grants in future budgets

Speaking on the occasion, the finance minister said the government was determined to phase out the supplementary grants in the future budgets.

He said the budgetary needs of many organisations were not properly assessed at the time of preparation of budget estimate last year, which was leading to a large number of demands for supplementary grants. He emphasised the need for proper budgeting of the financial needs of various departments, which would obviate the need for supplementary grants.

The Ministry of Petroleum briefed the ECC on the implementation of the Committee's decision regarding utilisation of services of Pakistan Railways for transportation of petroleum products across the country. The Ministry of Railways informed the committee that it has the capacity to carry higher volumes and would work with the Ministry of Petroleum to explore further possibilities.

The ECC approved in principle the proposal of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for media campaign aiming to disseminate information relating to initiatives on poverty alleviation, Sehat Insaaf Scheme, Prime Minister's Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme, and others.