ECC approves Rs1,066m grant to clear dues to families of deceased PSM employees
The ECC discussed the proposal to allow import of cotton from Afghanistan/Central Asian states
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on Thursday approved a grant of Rs1,066.078 million for payment of outstanding dues to families of deceased employees of Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM).
The approval was given during a meeting of the ECC held on Thursday held with Finance Minister Asad Umar in chair.
The meeting in consideration of the proposal of the Ministry of Industries and Production approved the grant for payment of dues (provident fund, gratuity and payroll dues) to families of the deceased employees of PSM.
The ECC discussed the proposal submitted by Ministry of Commerce & Textile to allow import of cotton from Afghanistan/Central Asian states via the land route through the Torkham Border.
The Committee accorded approval for the import with the condition that all sanitary and phytosanitary regulations shall be abided. It also directed the relevant ministries to engage with the industry for establishment of a permanent quarantine facility for cotton imported through land route.
Ministry of National Food Security Secretary also shared with the meeting a report on value chain of sugar. The meeting took note of the issue of pending payments to sugarcane growers as well as difficulties faced by the millers in view of surplus stocks, possibility of their export and redressal of liquidity issues.
The Committee also directed Minister of National Food Security and Adviser Industries to hold meeting with the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA), and resolve these issues.
The meeting accorded approval for sale of 200,000 tons of wheat from the surplus stocks available with PASSCO to Poultry Association of Pakistan (PPA). ECC also had deliberations on the proposed plan of Ministry of Energy for gas load management during winter season and decided to have further discussions in the matter at the next meeting to finalize the plan.
