Aamna Aamna 
To the same effect in response to the financial crises, the federal government has closed down 446 utility stores across the country indicating a new twist for essential commodity distribution. The development has however come at a time when subsidies have been withdrawn on some of the most essential commodities, which include sugar, flour, and cooking oil that were once described as ‘subsidy anchors’ for the poor. Hearings have it that the shutdown exercises are deliberately aimed at loss-making outlets especially those in rural areas and despite this restructuring, there are assurances that employees’ jobs will be safe.
The government strategy is mainly based on the idea of eradicating outlets with low turnovers and high costs to serve. Said effect is particularly felt in cases of utility stores located in rural areas, which relied mainly on government subsidies for their operations. In the process of closing many of these outlets, authorities sought to eliminate redundancies and shrink costs. The decision, therefore, fits into a broader economic consideration of resource utilization and cost reduction in the PDS chain.
Some proposals are being made to contemplate the shutdown of more than half a thousand utility stores across the country. The current comprehensive restructuring is ca lear indication of the government’s seriousness in the management of its finances as well as the prudent use of available resources. Though the change appears problematic in the short run, the proposal is aimed at achieving long-term gains of the structural adjustment to make essential commodity circulation sustainable without any threat to the employment of workers in utility stores.
