DERA GHAZI KHAN: The divisional administration has issued instructions to stop illegal shipment of wheat and flour from Dera Ghazi Khan district to other provinces.

The commissioner will conduct audit of the sale and purchase of the subsidised flour.

The decisions have been taken at a meeting of flour mills’ owners and representatives of the food department under the chairmanship of Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha. It was decided to maintain record of availability of subsidised flour in the flood-affected areas.

The commissioner said a regular audit of the purchase and sale of subsidised flour would be conducted. He said officials of the food, revenue and agriculture departments besides police and BMP would ensure the flour was not smuggled. Other officials also should be available round the clock to monitor the movement of wheat and flour to other provinces.

Chattha said Dera Ghazi Khan district had been affected by floods and people’s wheat stocks for their own consumption had been spoiled on a large scale.

He said he would send recommendations to increase the quota of flour mills to ensure the availability of subsidised flour in abundant quantity to the citizens.

The commissioner said inter-provincial check posts would closely monitor the movement of wheat. The staff involved in wheat and flour smuggling should be replaced immediately, he said.

Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Anwar Baryar said 184 metric tons of wheat was being given to flour mills daily under the quota. As many as 214 sale points of subsidised flour had been made in DG Khan district. He said 12,880 bags of 10kg under government subsidy had been given at the sale points.

Five flour mills’ owners were fined Rs577,528 for violation of rules and regulations and the licences of two flour mills were cancelled. As many as 96 cases were registered at the check posts meant for smuggling of wheat and flour, he said.

During the campaign, he said, 800 metric tonnes of wheat and 711 metric tonnes of flour were seized.

Deputy Director Food Abdul Rauf said in the briefing that 1,776 metric tons of wheat were affected by the flood at Shadan Lound food centre. Moreover, 242,178 metric tons of wheat were transferred from the centre to a safe place in the province.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2022