The Punjab government on Monday told the Supreme Court seized with a case relating to shortage of wheat that an abrupt switch from general subsidy to the targeted one might have serious implications for the poor.
“The government has to carefully evolve a system where the poorest of poor are benefited more than the benefit they get through the existing system of subsidy on foodgrains,” said a report submitted by provincial Food Secretary Muhammad Aslam.
Additional Advocate General of Punjab Hanif Khattana also attended the hearing.
A three-judge bench headed by Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja had been insisting that the federal and provincial governments should ensure targeted subsidy on flour instead of general subsidy because the existing system of subsidy would also benefit those who could afford to buy wheat even at higher prices.
