HANGU, Jan 11: Food Minister Fazal Rabbani taking notice of the condition of wheat stock in the godowns has banned its supply to flour mills.

The provincial minister paid a surprise visit to the food department and found that many employees were absent from duties but were marked present in the attendance register.

Later, the assistant food controller appeared, who was reprimanded by the minister and directed to ensure the presence of employees.

Mr Rabbani also visited the godowns where he found about 8,000 wheat sacks unfit for human consumption and ordered the department to stop its supply to the flour mills. He formed a committee to probe the matter.—Correspondent