Govt asked to procure flour from Punjab as stocks exhaust in NWFP

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ATTOCK: The flour crisis deepened only a day after the NWFP cabinet decision to contact the Punjab government to allow smooth supply of the daily-use item. The NWFP is hugely dependent on the Punjab as it meets 40 per cent of its flour requirement from across the Attock.

It is to be noted here that the Rangers deployed at the Attock and other places in Punjab have put in place tougher checking and they don’t allow a single bag of flour even for domestic use.However, the flour dealers say the crisis are temporary and it will end with the harvesting fresh wheat crop in Sindh and Punjab.

They say wheat harvesting in Sindh will begin by 15th of this month while in Punjab it may begin from 30th of this month. However, to save the consumers of further pain the government should take immediate measures to ensure continued supply of flour to the Frontier where the harvesting of wheat will positively take another one and half month, Haji Rambail was quoted as telling the Food secretary.

Our correspondent from Hangu adds: Millers in Hangu blamed the food department and flour dealers for the deepening flour crisis and warned the situation could worsen further if the mills were not provided wheat as per quota.

The district coordination officer, during a meeting with millers and nazims, said the authorities had set up checkpoints around the city to curb smuggling of flour and would ensure supply of wheat to mills.

Talking to flour dealers and public representatives, the DCO warned that those responsible for the crisis would be punished, and that committees as well as raiding teams had been formed to monitor flour prices and its availability.

He directed the district food controller to ensure availability of flour in the market at subsidised rates. Bajaur: Nanbais (bakers) staged a protest, demanding an increase in the price of roti (bread), while the political administration arrested 15 nanbais for violating the official rate lists. The nanbais demanded raise in the prices of roti due to hike in flour prices.

NWA residents blame it on admin: Residents of North Waziristan Agnecy blamed the political administration for the flour crisis. They complained the administration had increased the rate of permit from Rs 60 to 150 per bag, saying an 80-kg bag was being sold for 2,600.

Swat admin bans inter-district supply: The Swat district government Wednesday imposed ban on supply of wheat and flour from the district and fixed the price of 20 kg bag at Rs390.

Long queues in Karak: Local dealers Wednesday increased the flour price manifold and violated the official rate lists, while people were seen standing in long queues to get the commodity. The price of 20-kg bag of flour increased to Rs520 against the official rate Rs320, while a 40-kg flour bag was being sold for Rs1,040 in the open market.

Users' Comments (1)

Posted by M.YAQUB SAJID 10-02-2008 00:58, IP 213.189.73.165, Guest   Charman Hussain Int Trust ITS MY PLEASURE TO SAY ABOUT MAJOR TAHIR SADIQ THAT HE IS VERY HELPIN HAND FOR POOR COMUNITY OF ATTOCK.   » Report this comment to administrator

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