January 13, 2008	Sunday	Muharram 03, 1429

TIMERGARA, Jan 12: Loadshedding in Dir Lower has been affecting the production at flour mills and subsequently the supply to markets.

The area people told Dawn on Saturday that there was a shortage of the commodity in markets and utility stores had not been able to meet the demands.

However, District Coordination Officer Dr Attaur Rahman said: “There is no shortage of wheat in the district, but grinding at flour mills has been affected due to long hours of loadshedding. The crisis will be resolved as soon as electricity is restored”.

The DCO said he had visited all flour mills in the area and found ample stocks of wheat there.

He said that strict action would be taken against wheat smugglers and hoarders.

He directed retailers to sell flour at official rates and said they would be fined heavily if they violated it.

He appealed to people to buy flour according to their needs and not more than their requirements. Residents urged the district administration to conduct snap checking of flour price in markets.

—Correspondent