02 March 2004	Tuesday	10 Muharram 1425

HYDERABAD, March 1: The Sindh Rural Development Society has expressed concern over flour shortage in Tando Jam, worsened by sending of flour to other areas by 'chakki' owners.

In a statement issued here on Monday, the NGO president Mohammad Ilyas Khokhar said that the food department was supplying 80 bags of wheat every week to the 'chakki' owners of the town. However, he added, the 'chakki' owners instead of supplying flour to the local market were selling it to wholesale traders of other areas.

He alleged that in some cases, the 'chakki' owners even sold wheat to traders of Hyderabad. Mr Ilyas said that substandard flour, which was injurious to health, was being sold at the local shops through some 'chakkis'.

He appealed to the Sindh chief minister and the food department authorities to take notice of the flour shortage and ensure adequate supply of wheat to the town and an end to the sale of substandard flour.

He also expressed concern over deteriorating law and order situation in Tando Jam and adjoining areas. He said that in February, 50 incidents of crime had taken place in the towns but most of them were nor reported to the police by the affected people. He argued that the people had lost confidence in the police as they took no interest in lodging an FIR.

Our Badin Correspondent adds: Flour price has risen to Rs18 per kilogramme in the district, according to a survey conducted by this correspondent. Zahid Mallah, resident of Lakho Pir village, said that villagers of the southern belt of the district could not afford fine flour as it was being sold at Rs20 per kilogram in the area.

The area people demanded the Sindh government should compensate them for the losses they suffered in rains so that they could feed their families.