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October 05, 2008
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Sunday
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Shawwal 05, 1429
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Wheat prices set to soar even higher
By Sher Baz Khan
ISLAMABAD, Oct 4: Prices of wheat flour in Sindh and NWFP are likely to shoot up to Rs700 (for a 20kg bag) from Rs620 within a month, sources in the ministry of food and agriculture said.
On Saturday, flour price rose in Punjab to Rs420 per 20kg after the termination of the provincial government’s Ramazan package, which ensured provision of flour at a subsidised rate of Rs300.
Sources in the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (Minfal) told Dawn that the prices could rise in Sindh, NWFP and Fata by another Rs100 before sowing begins for the next wheat crop.
People in Sindh have been suffering unfair prices over the past year, with urban population paying more than villagers.
People in the tribal areas said flour was being sold at Rs680 per 20kg in Waziristan, Bajaur and other tribal regions.
They said the huge displacement of people had put an additional burden on flour consumption in settled areas of Shabqadar, Charsadda, Naguman, Matta, Tangi and Battagram.
Locals said that after the influx of displaced people from Bajaur and Mohmand Agency, flour was being sold at a higher rate in settled areas compared to other towns like Mardan and Swabi.
Interestingly, the areas affected by the price hike are the ones where the ruling Awami National Party wields a considerable clout.
People in Ekagund and Ghalanai in Mohmand Agency, affected by the ongoing military action against the militants, complain about the constant surge in flour prices. They say there is no mechanism to prevent the sale of sub-standard flour.
Sources said the NWFP food department had failed to ensure quality control, adding that flour mills sifting fine flour (Maida) from Atta and flour contained more than the allowed ratio of moisture in their products.
In Punjab, the flour mills are constantly being inspected for quality, sources said.
The now stagnant Federal Food Committee (FFC) had started checking samples from mills. But the recently constituted task force on food supplies has yet to take any action.
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