Lack of intern­al contro­l, static busine­ss model also blamed for poor perfor­manceISLAMABAD: Political interference, lack of internal control and a static business model have brought Utility Stores Corporation (USC) – a state-run store chain set up with the aim of providing essential commodities at lower prices to poor consumers – to the verge of closure. “Over a period of time, USC has become a bloated organisation due to political interference, lack of internal control and a static business model,” the ministry said, adding that these issues had brought USC to the verge of closure. The ECC was of the view that financial support for USC was essential for a successful implementation of the Ramazan package. It directed the Finance Division to provide sovereign guarantee to a financial institution which would help USC to implement the Ramazan package. At present, USC has 3,900 stores and 130 warehouses across the country and has 13,000 employees.

Source: The Express Tribune April 19, 2019 03:11 UTC