26 October 2004	Tuesday	11 Ramazan 1425

KARACHI, Oct 25: Flour mills are still reluctant to fully comply with the city government orders vis-a-vis flour rates though the wheat they are grinding is of the Ramazan quota.

They were supposed to ensure adequate supply of atta during Ramazan to the bachat bazaars, set up in the city, at control rates.

Contrary to the announcement by the city government that atta would be available at all the special stalls, organized by the provincial food department, only a few stalls at some bachat bazaars have received the commodity. It is also noticed that the atta being sold at control rate is of poor quality.

According to the organizers of bachat bazaars, such stalls have been established only in posh areas of city. They pointed out that consumers were complaining about the quality of the atta.

While most of the backward and remote areas received no such supplies, Korangi was provided only 500 bags. The organizers regretted that the provincial authorities' directives in this regard appeared unheeded.

Sources in city government verified reports that special flour stalls had not been set up at all the bachat bazaars.

"Flour mills' associations had assured the food secretary, DCO and other officials that wheat flour would be supplied in adequate quantity and at reasonable rates for sale at the special stalls," the sources recalled, adding that they were yet to fulfil their commitment.

The sources revealed that only a couple of truckloads of flour had landed so far at some bachat bazaars.

They suggested that the wheat allocation to such mills be cancelled and their licence suspended. -PPI