Bring back ration depots

If the government wants to control inflation and provide some relief to the public, it must bring back the old 'ration depot' system. Utility Stores, few and far between, provided little relief to the public. When buying essential items from Utility Stores, one could end up going back home empty-handed after standing for hours in long lines. I remember purchasing sugar and flour from the local ration depot when I was young. Each locality had its own depot within easy reach of the residents. The depot holder paid for the shop rent and paid his own employees, so the depots were no burden on the state. The government had full control of the prices of all the essential food items. If the government wants to give real relief to the public, the old, true and tested ration depots should be brought back.

Imtiaz Akhter

Rawalpindi