ISLAMABAD: After the condition of showing National Identity Card (ID) for purchase of items at Utility Stores, the government has decided to make another condition of SMS verification compulsory for purchase of subsided goods.
According to officials at Utility Stores Corporation (USC), from November 1, 2022 customers of USC will SMS their ID card number to 5566 from their mobile before coming to the utility store and they will be provided with a One-Time Password (OTP) for shopping, and at any utility stores, customers will be able to purchase subsidized items by showing the OTP and ID card.
According to officials privy to the new system, it will facilitate the consumers in the purchase of subsidized items at utility stores, saving time as well as subsidizing certain items (flour, sugar, ghee, rice, pulses) in a very transparent manner so that only those who are eligible for the subsidy and the rights of deserving people should not be violated. It should be noted that One-Time Password (OTP) and ID card are not required for purchase of items other than subsidized items.
With this modern and digital system of Utility Stores Corporation, the overall efficiency of the corporation will be improved, subsidy monitoring can be done in a modern way and there will be more transparency in obtaining subsidies for the public, the officials claimed.
However, sources claim that the new condition may add to the difficulties of poor people, especially those who don’t have mobile phones or are unable to use the digital procedure to purchase subsidized goods. They may also bear the charges of SMS needed to be sent to the given number.
The USC had earlier set the condition for customers to show their computerized national identity cards (CNICs) at counters before billing of the purchases.
Earlier this month the Public Accounts Committee had observed that subsidized items at the utility stores were not being sold out to the poor and underprivileged segment of society only.
During a meeting on Oct 5, PAC Chairman Noor Alam had surprised the members, saying subsidized flour bags were issued even in his name in Peshawar, which showed that the distributing mechanism of the USC was flawed.
He later had directed Secretary Ministry of Industries and Production Imdadullah Bosal to probe the matter as to why subsidized flour bags were fraudulently issued in his name. The committee directed the ministry to ensure the distribution of food items to the poor only.
According to officials at USC, all utility stores across the country were still providing subsidies under the Prime Minister’s Relief Package. The USC spokesperson informed that on special directives of the Prime Minister, Utility Stores Corporation is providing subsidies on basic essential commodities for the convenience of the people across the country. These essential commodities include flour, sugar, ghee, pulses and rice. He claimed that the USC is making access to this subsided daily-use item easier and more transparent.
