April 05, 2008	Saturday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 27, 1429

SHEIKHUPURA, April 4: The non-availability of flour in and around the city has made the citizens’ life miserable and even the utility stores set up in different parts of the district are not entertaining customers intending to buy this indispensable food commodity.

People having money in their hands are roaming around to find a grain of flour, but to no avail, Dawn learnt after a survey conducted here on Friday.

Some of the customers told Dawn that shopkeepers were charging Rs40 per kilogramme of flour and they were compelled to purchase it even on that much-inflated rate to quench their hunger.

The district government and the price control committees have closed their eyes over the paucity and the price-hike of flour.

The customers said that some elements, which intended to destabilise the coalition government by hatching conspiracies, were in fact creating no-trust among the masses.

They said that the administration was also playing negative role to put a stigmatic vestige on the face of the new government while creating shortage and inflation of flour. The hoarders and stockists have not changed their attitude and they were bent upon fleecing the masses. They also urged the authorities concerned to intervene and curb this menace.

RECEPTION: Rana Tanvir Hussain, the federal minister for defence production, reached Sharaqpur on Friday first time after taking charge of his ministry and was given a rousing welcome.

Talking to reporters, Rana Tanvir said that all out efforts would be made to provide relief and basic facilities to the masses. He said that corruption and corrupt elements would be eradicated from society.

The minister, who is heading anti-district nazim group, without naming Jalil Saharaqpuri said that development funds worth millions of rupees had already been embezzled by “the head of district government” and accountability in this connection would be carried out soon.

On a question regarding security situation, the minister said that it would improve positively yet gradually.—Correspondent