FAISALABAD, Dec 20: Instead of electioneering, shortage of flour is talk of the town as acute scarcity has hit the district despite all ‘arrangements’ of the City District Government-Faisalabad (CDG-F).

Shopkeepers are reportedly selling 20kg flour bag at Rs400 against the CDG-F approved open market rate of Rs295. However, flour supply by millers is sporadic despite ‘strict instructions’ by the government quarters.

Sensing the flour crisis in other districts, DCO Azam Suleman had deployed some officials at exit points of the district to prevent transportation of the commodity a few days back but to no avail.

People were also informed that monitoring and raiding teams had been constituted to avert the shortage and stop the unscrupulous elements from windfall profits.

Long queues, mostly of women, can be seen at different sale points set up by the CDG-F to ‘facilitate people’ and curb the flour shortage.

During a round of the city areas, this correspondent observed that despite sale points and fair price shops, hoarders and profiteers are minting money with impunity.

When shopkeepers were asked about the flour availability, most of them said the troika — the district government, food department officers and millers - was responsible for the crisis. Substantiating their claims, they said how it would be possible to transport flour out of the district without the connivance of the government officials.

They said their regular customers had been pressurising them for the commodity at affordable rates.

“Keeping in view their demands, we are used to making false promises,” one of them said.

Shopkeepers having good connections with the millers or food department officials were getting supply and selling flour according to their own sweet will, he said.

Meanwhile, acting DCO Dr Tariq Sardar said the government was making all-out efforts for availability of flour at controlled rates. However, he said complaints of shortage had been received from different parts of the district.

He urged the masses to inform the government about profiteers and hoarders.

Dr Tariq said 10 more sale points had been set up on the eve of Eidul Azha and flour supply would be ensured.