December 25, 2009
PROVINCE WISE NO. OF STORES
| S. No. | Name of Province/Area | No. of Stores |
| 1. | Punjab | 3207 |
| 2. | Sindh | 907 |
| 3. | N.W.F.P | 1126 |
| 4. | Balochistan | 267 |
| 5. | Azad Kashmir | 108 |
| 6. | Giglat Baltistan | 96 |
|
| Total | 5711 |
*Data has taken from Utility Store Cooperation of Pakistan
The basic functions of these utility stores are to provide basic foodstuff and household utensil to the poor and general public in subsidize rate and supplies all the food commodities and household utensil at one roof with and hurdles.
But situation is quite different from idealism and realism, most of times basic items are not available for the public specially at the time of shortage of domestic goods like (wheat, oil and sugar) crises. Public have to stand long queue to buy these household items. Mostly supervisors of utility stores are complaint that in they didn’t get relevant item according to their demand and supply when the price are up. But it is also bring the notice that concern staff also sold the goods to wholes sellers and supplier for earning more profit. In the end 2007, at when cooking oil and wheat price raised it’s observed that various location utility store cooking oil and wheat sold at various general store shops. In last four months on going sugar crises public are searching of sugar in subsidize cost but sugar is no more available at any utility stores on Rs. 38/-.
It is high time for government to improve the structure of utility stores. There should also a proper check and balance system between demand and supply of these foods items and provide benefited to poor and general public.
Its also observed that price controlling authority to check the prices of domestic items general store and Merchant shops because remote area of the country and villages utility stores are unreachable to the general public. However it is also responsibility of state to provide food items at low price either utility store or general shops.
Authorities should also check the issue of demand and supply in utility stores and check if there is any misuse of any commodities. At the time of shortage of goods public have also complaint that they provide poor quality (Wheat, sugar) provided to public. There should also place complaint/suggestion registered for the complaint and non-availability of items. It’s also expect that chance of corruption and misuse of items should be reduced through the surprise visit of vigilance officer.
We hope that this elected and democratic government provide all food items in low prices for it public in respectable manner not like in shape of long queue and after that they went home without getting their needed goods. It is a welcome statement that Federal ministry of industries committed that sugar supply all the utility stores according to their demand (2). At last after 4-months concern ministry think about sugar supply at utility store.
REFERENCE:
1. http://www.usc.com.pk/ accessed on December 20, 2009
2. The News Business page No.16 dated December 24, 2009
Muhammad Yousuf Ali
E-Mail: usuf12@gmail.com
