ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court while seeking reply from the federal government in the Kissan Package case has raised question under what law subsidy was given to fertiliser manufacturers.
When a two-member bench headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal took up the case for hearing on Thursday, the petitioner informed the court that discriminatory treatment was meted out in giving subsidy on fertilisers. Prosecutor Suleman Akram Raja took the plea that subsidy was applicable to those import fertiliser.
Justice Qazi Faiz Essa inquired how much amount had been released so far under the head of fertilisers subsidy. The prosecutor said that Rs 12.5 billion had been released so far under subsidy head. Justice Essa inquired under what law the amount was released. Was any sanction been made in the last budget?
Has any mentioned been made in the constitution about discretionary funds of the prime minister? The court summoned the food secretary and finance secretary after interval. Justice Essa inquired how much amount has been given under subsidy. The food secretary told the court that Rs 12.5 billion has been released.
The judge remarked that was legislation not needed before releasing such a huge amount. The food secretary told the court that subsidy amount was distributed among 12 manufacturers and importers. The court while seeking reply from the federal government on under what law the subsidy was given to manufacturers put off the hearing for one week.
