government rate
ISLAMABAD
Taking notice of a sharp increase in flour price, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday strictly directed the authorities concerned to ensure availability of the commodity at the rate announced by the government.
The prime minister sought a report from the ministers as well as the ministries concerned and asked them to take punitive measures to ensure sale of the flour at the given price. “No one will be allowed to fleece the masses. The availability of flour at the price announced by the government should be ensured,” the prime minister directed. He instructed the ministries of food security and industries and the relevant departments to present a compliance report.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz has ordered to further improve the supply of flour at lower prices across Punjab.
Chairing a high-level meeting in Lahore on Monday, the chief minister directed strict monitoring of wheat grinding and flour supply in the market and said every penny of Rs200 billion subsidy should reach the common man. He said Police must monitor peripheral routes of Punjab to prevent smuggling of wheat and flour.
It is pertinent to mention that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif reduced the price of a 10-kg flour bag to Rs400 instead of Rs 550. However, the price of whole wheat flour has surged to a record level of Rs93 per kg following a surge in grain prices. Owners of wheat grinding mills, commonly known as Chakki, last week raised the price of whole wheat flour by Rs3/kg to Rs93 after the price of wheat jumped to Rs2,700 per 40kg against the official price of Rs2,200 per 40-kg. Similarly, the price of an 80-kg sack of fine flour, which is used for Naan and Khamiri Roti, has increased by Rs400 to Rs6,200. TLTP
