April 19, 2008	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 12, 1429

MULTAN, April 18: Farmers and traders of southern Punjab have criticised the Punjab government decision to increase the wheat flour price.

According to the decision the new retail price of a 20kg flour bag will now be Rs375 against Rs300.

President of Quami Tajir Eitihad South Punjab Muhammad Akhtar Butt said that increase in the price of flour would further burden the common man.

He said that while the government had fixed the price of wheat at Rs625 and was allowing the flour mills to sell the flour Rs750, which means the government is giving permit to the flour mills to charge the grinding cost at Rs125.

Khawaja Muhammad Shoaib of Farmers’ Vision Forum said that although wheat harvesting had been delayed due to rains but the wheat crop was excellent and country would be self sufficient in meeting its domestic consumption.

He said that there was no chance that the country would need to import wheat for its domestic consumption because the wheat would be sufficient for our consumption.

Rasheed Khan Langah, the president Kisan Board Tehsil Rajanpur said that profiteers and officials of various state departments were misleading the nation and spreading rumours that the country would fail to achieve its wheat target because they want to earn maximum profit, while the state departments want to import wheat to secure their commission.

He demanded the establishment of a federal wheat board consisting of all the stakeholders including flour millers, farmers and state officials.

The board would help to deal with wheat and flour related issues.