Inquiry report regarding supply of substandard Ghee to USC, and other utility items be furnished to the Committee for its consideration
Islamabad (Pakistan Point News / Online - 26th March, 2019) Inquiry report regarding supply of substandard Ghee to USC, and other utility items be furnished to the Committee for its consideration. The Committee unanimously recommended that Mushtaq Ahmed, Senior Joint Secretary, Ministry of Industries & Production, currently holding look after charge of the post of MD, Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan may be allowed to continue as Acting Chairman, USC till 30th June, 2019.
Third meeting of the Standing Committee on Industries & Production of the National Assembly was held on Monday under the chairmanship of Sajid Hussain Turi, MNA.Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Small & Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) briefed the Committee about the vision and mission of the authority. He informed that Federal Government has decided in 1998 to promote and development of SMEs across the country through activities of Encouraging and Facilitating Growth & Development of SMEs.
He further expressed the mandate of SMEDA as per ordinance wherein, SMEDA was responsible for making policy and to provide over all planning relating to SMEs sector in Pakistan by protecting the interest of SMEs.He said that SMEDA was also providing assistance for establishing association of persons, firm company, body or corporate concerning SMEs in Pakistan. He said that SMEDA was functioning according to its vision i.e. "Growth of Globally Competitive SME sector, through a conducive environment and support services, serving as an engine of sustainable growth for national economy".
He also explained the mission of SMEDA and operational strategies such as developing sectors, clusters and facilitation of service.Abdul Razak Dawood, Advisor to the Prime Minister/In-charge Ministry of Industries & Production informed the Committee that due to immense economic significance, SMEs in Pakistan were first recognized as a distinct segment at policy level, since the approval of the SME policy in 2007, various initiatives have been taken to promote SME growth in the country.
However, rapidly changing business environment calls for a need to revise SME policy to bring the said sector in line with the global changes by setting objectives. He further informed that currently, National SME policy was under developing process, which will be presented before the Minister in-charge on 11th April, 2019. The Committee recommended that new SME policy may also be shared with the Committee on its finalization.The Committee members have expressed their concern on the performance of the SMEDA, they were of the view that SMEDA should set its targets, while working on any project.
They were also of the opinion that potential sector in the country should be identified before making feasibility. The Committee has shown its apprehension on the expenditures and outcome of the projects made by SMEDA.The Committee recommended that SMEDA may be furnished a report on the achievements of their targets from June, 2017 to June, 2018 along with the details of business provided to women in furniture industry by the SMEDA. The Committee also recommended that details of the projects already initiated by the SMEDA in South Punjab (Multan, Rahim Yar Khan and Muzafargarh) along with the future strategy for southern Punjab may also be furnished to this Secretariat.
Managing Director, Utility Stores Corporation briefed the Committee about the infrastructure of USC. He informed that USC was established in 1971 as Private Limited Company under Companies Ordinance 1984, (now called companies Act, 2017). Its major functions were to protect the real income of the people by selling essential consumer items at prices lower than those prevailing in the open market and to act as a price moderator in the market and deterrent to profiteering, hoarding and black marketing.
He also informed the Committee about the existing infrastructure including strength of employees. He said that USC was comprised 9 Zones, 65 regions, 130 warehouses and 3942 stores including 92 Franchises. He added that 5862, regular, 3835 contractual and 3403 daily wages employees were working in USC. He presented the breakup of USC network in different areas of the country. He briefed the Committee about the modern techniques proposed by the USC for its smooth and efficient working.
While, discussing the performance of USC, the Committee members were of the view that Government should provide subsidy for smooth working of the Corporation. Managing Director also briefed the Committee about year wise sales, subsidy provided by the Government, net profit loss and taxes paid by the Corporation.The Managing Director, USC informed the Committee that USC was working on a contract with some Saudi Arabia businessman for obtaining funds up to Rupees 5 billion on two years deferred payments basis, for improving the performance of Utility Stores Corporation.
The MD, USC told the Committee about the grievances of employees, he said that Establishment Division has informed that the said matter may be decided by the USC at its own level, which may be decided in the board of the USC, shortly.The Committee recommended that inquiry report regarding supply of substandard Ghee to USC, (earlier) and other utility items, which were stopped at that time may be furnished to the Committee for its consideration.
The Committee unanimously recommended that Mushtaq Ahmed, Senior Joint Secretary, Ministry of Industries & Production, currently holding look after charge of the post of MD, Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan may be allowed to continue as Acting Chairman, USC till 30th June, 2019.The meeting was attended by MNAs . Nasir Khan Musa Zai, Syed Mobeen Ahmed, . Aamir Talal Gopang, . Muhammad Akram, Ms. Andleeb Abbas, Ms. Shandana Gulzar Khan, Ms.
Sajid Begum, Ms. Aliya Hamza Malik, . Usama Qadri, , Ali Gohar Khan, Rana Muhammad Ishaq Khan, . Riaz ul Haq, Syed Mustafa Mahmud, Mahar Irshad Ahmad Khan besides the senior officers of Ministry of Industries & Production.Ends Senate body for taking steps to eliminate drugs in educational institutions : The Senate Standing Committee on Narcotics on Tuesday asked the ministry concerned to take more steps to control the use of drugs in educational institutions of Islamabad.
Earlier, the Senate body declared the ministry steps inadequate and formed a sub-committee to ensure active steps to eliminate the use of drugs in the Islamabad educational institutions.The committee, which met here at the Parliament House, under the chair of Chairman Senator Sardar Muhammad Shafiq Tareen at the Parliament House also summoned the Ministry of Finance officials against lack of funds to the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) operational in the coastal areas of Baluchistan.
The committee made a comprehensive review of the measures taken by the government to different stakeholders in Islamabad. The committee discussed recommendations made by the government to Islamabad's educational institutions regarding elimination of drugs and the measures taken by vice chancellors of the universities in the capital city.Narcotics Secretary Arif Nawaz told the Senate body that 15 per cent work on the establishment of ANF police station in Pasni has been completed.
Regarding repairing of helicopters, he said grant in this regard is important and they had dispatched an application some three years ago but didn't able to receive fund yet. The secretary said $4.8 million is needed for the repairing of helicopters.The secretary narcotics said that the organization has 2,900 laborer force whereas it needs 10,000. The committee was informed about the allocation of 10 beds for drugs patients in the District Headquarters Hospital. A letter had been written to the ministry of narcotics and waiting for the replay.
