January 07, 2008	Monday	Zilhaj 27, 1428

KARACHI, Jan 6: Sindh caretaker Chief Minister Abdul Qadir Halepoto has directed the officials to take action against the flour mills and traders creating an artificial shortage of wheat flour and selling it at exorbitant rates.

He issued such orders taking serious note of the reports about a shortage of wheat flour in the province. He asked the food department officials to take immediate measures for ending the artificial shortage of wheat flour.

Sindh Caretaker Minister for Food and Agriculture Aijaz Shah Shirazi has also warned the flour millers and shopkeepers of severe legal action for selling flour at high rates.

Presiding over a meeting of the food department officials, he directed them to initiate action against such mills and traders.

The minister also advised the public to lodge complaints with magistrates and food officials against flour mills, chakki-owners and traders who were charging high rates in their respective areas so that action could be taken against them. Food Secretary Naved Kamran Baloch told the minister that the required quota of wheat was being provided to the mills and chakkis, and there was no shortage of wheat in the province.

Moreover, stalls had also been set up in different areas of the province to provide people with wheat flour at a discounted rate of Rs16 per kg. He described the flour crisis as ‘artificial’.—PPI