Saturday, April 26, 2008, Rabi-ul-Sani 19, 1429    

Islamabad facing shortfall of 6,000 flour bags per day

Islamabad—Islamabad is facing the shortfall of six thousands 20 kilogram flour bags per day which is being met through cooperation of Utility Stores Corporation.

It was informed at the meeting of District Price Control Committee (DPCC), Islamabad here on Friday. It was held under the chairmanship of Chief Commissioner Islamabad Hamid Ali Khan.

The meeting was attended by the representatives of flour mills association, Naan Bai Association, trader community, utility stores corporation, Sabzi mandi fruit and vegetable association, members of DPCC and officials of ICT Administration.

The sources said that the meeting was told that wheat quota for Islamabad has been reduced from 60 bags per body to 36 bags per body to flour mills.

The meeting was informed that district health office, ICT has also started the sampling of flour in Islamabad to ensure the quality of flour and the necessary legal action would be initiated on receipt of results.

Meanwhile, the Chief Commissioner directed Additional Deputy Commissioner (R) ICT to take up the matter with NIH laboratory for sending sample reports at the earliest.

The meeting reviewed the prices of essential commodities and decided to further activate sub-price control committees in order to curb profiteering tendency and strict implementation of rate list at retail level.

The Chief Commissioner reiterated the resolve to ensure the provision of food items at the control rate and provide maximum relief to the common man.

He directed members of committee and Magistrates to ensure regular price checking in the markets and display of rate list prominently by the shopkeepers. The Chief Commissioner said that ICT Administration has taken effective measures to ensure the sufficient availability of 20 kg flour bags.

He said that rates of fruits and vegetables for city and rural areas are being fixed by the ICT Administration in the markets despite reduction.

Hamid Ali Khan said that weekly bazaar are providing greater relief to the common man. “ We are working to further enhance their performance and ICT would fix the rates of fruits and vegetables of weekly Bazaars,” he added.

He also informed that ICT Administration has provided land in Tarlai, Sohan and Tarnol for opening up utility stores outlets in rural areas. Naan Bai Association said that their association is still maintaining the old rates of Rooti and Naan in Islamabad despite increase in the flour rate.

They expressed their eagerness to provide Rooti and Naan at further reduced rates if the Administration provides them Atta at the subsidized rate. It was decided in the meeting that sampling of Atta would be conducted regularly to ensure the quality of atta.

It was further decided that a four members committee comprising of magistrates and members of DPCC would conduct visit of Sabzi Mandi to further streamline the price mechanism.

It was decided that price checking would be ensured on daily basis and display of rate list will be implemented.—APP