January 09, 2008	Wednesday	Zilhaj 29, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Jan 8: The atta (wheat flour) crisis has worsened in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, as the commodity is not available in most parts of the twin cities while in some localities it is selling at Rs25 to Rs30 per kg against its previous rate of Rs13.

Market sources said despite tall claims of the government and the local administrations of the two cities that the situation was under control, people were living in a miserable condition as their problems had been further compounded by the Atta shortage, power outages, gas loadshedding and high prices of kitchen items.

It is for the first time that a 20kg sack of Atta is being sold at Rs400 against the pre-crisis rate of Rs290.

Due to the prevailing situation and unavailability of Atta, one can see long queues outside utility stores.

The district administration of Rawalpindi has claimed to have launched a crackdown on hoarders and profiteers to overcome the crisis.

In this regard, raiding teams have been constituted which would work under the supervision of Haji Mohammad Jamal, chairman District Price Control Committee.

The district has been divided into different zones, where price control magistrates would lead operations. The caretaker chief minister has also issued directives regarding monitoring of the flour mills which would be implemented soon.

Mr Jamal claimed that there was no Atta crisis in Rawalpindi. He held hoarders responsible for the crisis.

He said profiteers and hoarders would be dealt with irony hands, adding no pressure would be accepted. He said all the price control magistrates would raid and monitor their respective areas on a daily basis. He said cases would be registered against profiteers and hoarders.

In Islamabad, a delegation led by former MNA Mian Mohammad Aslam met officials of the local administration and demanded sufficient supply of Atta in the city.

The delegation was of the view that the rate of a 20kg bag of Atta in utility stores was Rs260 but the commodity was not available in the outlets.

The local administration was informed that Atta produced by flour mills in Islamabad was being sent outside of the city. The citizens demanded that all flour mill owners in Islamabad should be restricted to sell their production in the capital.

Meanwhile, the federal government has decided to take action against 31 flour mill owners responsible for the present crisis within two days, sources confirmed.

The sources said the decision was taken at a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee chaired by caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro.

The prime minister was briefed about the artificial flour crisis in the country and was also given a list bearing the names of the 31 mill owners.

It was also stated that these mills were owned by former Flour Mills Association chairman Sufi Bilal and other like-minded persons.

The sources said out of the 31 flour mills, 18 had been identified in Punjab, 12 in Karachi and one in NWFP. “All the flour mill owners have political interests and are handpicked by Mr Bilal.”