TAXILA: District Food Controller Rawalpindi Sufian Asif Awan has said over 80 points have been established to supply flour to citizens on a daily basis in various markets and bazaars across the district.
He was briefing newsmen about the anti-wheat smuggling activities by the food department at Brahma-Bhattar toll plaza near here on Friday.
Assistant Food Controller Abid Ijaz Khan, office-bearers of traders’ association Rawalpindi district and Taxila chapter were also present.
Ruling out the paucity of flour or artificial shortage of the basic commodity in the district, Mr Awan said with the recommendation of the assistant commissioners concerned of the tehsils flour was being supplied to 2,200 shops on a daily basis across the district.
Mr Awan said in line with directives of the district administration, the food department had launched a crackdown on flour mills for not providing the required quota.
“The food department will take action against hoarders and those involved in the cartelisation of wheat causing a price hike as we have a surplus of agricultural commodities in the Rawalpindi division,” he added.
Responding to a question, Mr Awan said there was no flour shortage in the district, adding an ample quantity of flour was available at all sale points.
Pervaiz Butt, president Central Karyana Association Rawalpindi district, also said there was no paucity of flour. He said the association with other stakeholders including flour mills association and food department was supplying flour to 40 bazaars on a daily basis.
He said trucks carrying flour were sent by millers and later sold under the supervision of the association and food department. He said that the millers were supplying flour at Rs640 per bag to the shopkeepers and they were selling it at the retail price of Rs648.
Meanwhile, assistant commissioner Hassanabdal Arif Qureshi paid a surprise visit to the food checkpost at Jehri Kass on Hassanabdal-Hazra road early on Friday to monitor its working.
He checked the attendance of the staff and movement of trucks especially from Punjab to the Hazara division.
Published in Dawn, December 11th, 2022
