ISLAMABAD (July 06 2009): The Utility Stores Corporation (USC) has increased the prices of seven items while reducing the rate of one item at its outlets. "We have increased the prices of seven items at our outlets as we were also purchasing these items on higher rates", a spokesman of USC told APP here on Sunday. However, he said that the prices of the increased item are even lower than market rates. "We have also reduced the prices of Red Lobia from Rs 64.00 per kg to Rs 60 per kg", he remarked. He said that the prices of Moong whole has been increased from Rs 43 per kg to Rs 45 per kg. The prices of Mash Shell has been increased from Rs 66.00 per kg to Rs 82 per kg and similarly the prices of Mash whole has been increased from Rs 60.00 per kg to Rs 78.00 per kg. The spokesman further said that the prices of Moong washed has been increased from Rs 46.00 per kg to Rs 47 per kg, Moong Shell rates have been enhanced from Rs 46 per kg to Rs 47 per kg and the prices of Mash washed has been increased from Rs 78.00 to Rs 83.00 per kg. Similarly the prices of white gram 9mm has been increased from Rs 78 per kg to Rs 88 per kg When his attention was drawn on the reported shortage of sugar at the USC outlets, he admitted shortage of the commodity at some stores and attributed it to the difference between USC and market prices". "USC sells per kilogram sugar at the rate of Rs 38 whereas it is sold at Rs 45 per kg in the open market", he remarked. However, he said that steps are being taken that people should not face the shortage of any items in its inventory at its outlet across the country. "We are also taking care of the quality of the items besides providing items at the cheaper rates as compared to the market prices", he added.