- ICCI officials hope that the govt will resolve other issues of small traders with the same spirit
Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Saturday thanked Finance Minister Asad Umar and the management of Sui Northern as Pipeline Company (SNGPL) for accepting its request and restoring the old gas tariff for tandoor businesses.
ICCI President Ahmad Hassan Mughal said that the business-friendly steps of the government, especially for small businesses, would facilitate the growth of such businesses and pave the way for sustainable economic growth in the country.
He was talking to a delegation of General Nanby Association, led by its President Fazal Karim Abbasi. GNA Vice President Haji Pervaiz Senior, General Secretary Sardar Altaf Hussain, Chairman Hajji Muhammad Sabir and Joint Secretary Sardar Mazhar were also included in the delegation.
The association thanked the ICCI office bearers for their support in restoring old gas tariff for tandoors.
Speaking on the occasion, ICCI Senior Vice President Rafat Farid said that the government had increased gas tariff in September 2018, according to which gas sale price for tandoors was also raised from Rs700/mmbtu to Rs980/mmbtu, an increase of 40pc.
He said that Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet in its meeting held in November last year had decided to withdraw the increase in gas prices for tandoors and to allow them pay their gas bills on the previously applicable rates so that price of roti/naan does not go up.
“However, despite the ECC decision, tandoors were receiving the gas bills on new price due to which the such businesses were affected badly, he noted.
The ICCI SVP claimed that that the chamber had taken up this issue with the finance minister and SNGPL. As a result, he added, the old gas price for tandoors has been restored, which is laudable.
He hoped that the government would resolve other issues of small traders with the same spirit in the future.
Speaking at the occasion, Fazal Karim Abbasi appreciated the chamber’s cooperation in resolving this important issue, saying that ICCI has saved the tandoor businesses from further troubles.
He said the labour class and common men were purchasing roti and naan from tandoors and restoration of old gas tariff has also saved them from spending their hard-earned money.
