Monday, April 7, 2008, Rabi Ul Awal 29,1429    

No flour shortage in Punjab

Lahore—A spokesman of Provincial Food Department has categorically stated that there is no shortage of flour in the province and the government is providing 18,000 tons of wheat daily to 665 flour mills which is 26 percent more than the wheat requirement of the province.

He said the sole aim of supply of wheat in abundant quantity on concessionary rates is to ensure that flour is easily available to the masses.

Dispelling the impression created by the news reports appearing in a section of the press regarding shortage of flour in Punjab, the spokesman said that maximum flour requirement of Punjab is 110,000 sacks whereas 18,000 sacks are being supplied by the government at the rate of Rs.465 per maund.

The spokesman said that the government has fixed the next procurement price of wheat at Rs.625 per maund due to which some self-motivated elements are using delaying tactics in the grinding of wheat so that the same could be sold after two weeks on the new rates.

The spokesman further said that the government tried to curb this trend with the help of Flour Mills Association but due to non-achievement of desired results, some inevitable measures were adopted in the interest of the people.

The spokesman said that government considers smooth and uninterrupted supply of flour to the people at the fixed rates as its obligation and those who are creating hurdles in this regard deserve no leniency.

The spokesman further said that people can contact Directorate of Food Punjab Lahore for redressal of their grievances with regard to availability of flour.—APP