November 15, 2008	Saturday	Ziqa'ad 16, 1429

SHIKARPUR, Nov 14: Wheat flour is being sold for Rs35 to Rs37 per kilogram at retail shops in the district and its adjoining areas despite no shortage of the grain and its steady supply to flour mills and chakkis, according to a survey conducted by this correspondent.

The food department has fixed ex-mill rate of flour at Rs24 per kilogram, retail price at Rs25.50 and Rs26.50 per kg as a retail price for chakki flour.

The department supplies 7,150 bags containing 100 kg wheat to the three flour mills of the district on a weekly basis and 1,200 bags to 30 chakkis. The wheat contains 70 per cent imported grain and 30 per cent local grain, which is supplied at the official rate of Rs1,932 per bag for 100 kg but the district administration has failed to implement official rates.

The department has set up 10 stalls in Shikarpur, Garhi Yasin, Khanpur and Lakhi talukas in cooperation with the Flour Mills Association to sell flour packed in 10 kg bags at the official rate of Rs255. Other flour depots established by the flour mills in the city are selling flour at the ex-mill price of Rs240 per 10 kg bag.

But elsewhere in the city and its adjoining towns and villages the flour is still being sold at Rs35-37 and there is no government agency to keep check over them.

According to reports the government godowns in the district has ample stock of wheat and they continue to supply wheat to flour mills and chakkis still the retail shops are overcharging for the essential food item.

Leaders of public opinion advise the government to make long-term planning to break monopoly of traders who want to earn windfall profits from artificial shortage and smuggling of the grain. They demand supply of wheat flour, rice, ghee and other food items at cheep rates through utility stores.