05 February 2005	Saturday	25 Zilhaj 1425

MITHI, Feb 4: Elected representatives of Tharparkar have expressed concern over the failure of government functionaries to provide subsidized wheat to about one million drought-hit people of the district.

Talking to reporters, MPA Razzaq Rahimoo and MPA Rajvir Singh said that a large number of families had migrated to other districts in search of livelihood. They said that those who had not abandoned their homes had been compelled to buy wheat flour of poor quality at the rate of Rs640 for a maund, instead of the control rate of Rs480.

They said the prime minister and the Sindh chief minister had announced at a public gathering that the government would provide wheat at half price to people of the sand-swept district.

They alleged that the officials of the food department had not complied with the orders of the prime minister and the chief minister and residents of their constituencies were facing hunger.

It may be mentioned that the district council and the Sindh government had declared the district calamity-hit in the August last and sanctioned setting up of about 1,100 depots in 44 union councils to ensure transparent distribution of the subsidized wheat. The food department has been supplying wheat quota of 12 bags per week to about 70 chakkis which is inadequate to meet food requirements of the people.