LAHORE, Oct 1: The Punjab will start releasing wheat to mills on Oct 7 and devise a plan to supply flour to the poor at economical rates.

This was decided at a meeting presided over by Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi here on Wednesday.

The chief minister said the government would ensure wheat supply to the mills strictly in accordance with its designs to provide flour to the people at economical rates.

He ordered the Food Department to prepare a plan regarding the provision of cheap flour to the poor and deserving people in all 34 districts. For the purpose, lists of poor families should be prepared in a transparent manner, he said.

He directed the Food Department to ensure effective implementation of the Pure Food Ordinance. Flour bags must mention the ingredients for the knowledge of consumers, he said. He said the department had enough wheat stocks to cater to the needs of the people.

The chief minister was earlier briefed by his adviser, Jehangir Tareen, on canal lining, water management and construction of water reservoirs.

Mr Tareen briefed him on the plans for optimum utilization of water resources, better institutional framework to arrest water theft and the construction of reservoirs.

Pervaiz Elahi also met delegations of MPAs from Hafizabad and Jhelum under MNAs Mehdi Hasan Bhatti and Haji Shahbaz Husain.

The assembly members reposed their confidence into the leadership of the chief minister and invited him to a public meeting in the district. A similar offer was given by the legislators from Jhelum who discussed with the chief minister development issues in the district.