NAROWAL: The district administration has failed to supply wheat flour to people here according to the required quantity as long queues can be seen at sale points.

Flour is being sold at Rs125 per kilo in the open market and is available at chakkis for Rs140 per kilo. Citizens assemble early in the morning at sale points designated by the government.

Long queues of men and women can be seen even before the arrival of trucks laden with flour. As soon as the truck arrives at the sale point, people start jostling for the staple food. Several elderly people fall onto the ground due to rush.

In Zafarwal tehsil, people lodged a protest demonstration and a stampede-like situation erupted when they found the flour bags in short supply. A number of people suffered injuries.

Talking to Dawn, Muhammad Ashraf and Anwar said they are waiting for their turn [in queue] after getting a leave from job.

Fatima Bibi and Farkhunda Bibi said they were able to get a 10-kg bag after standing in lines throughout the day which lasts for three days.

Citizen Mohammad Faisal said 300 bags arrived here from Narowal while 1,300 men and women gathered to take flour.

He said the government should stop this humiliation and ensure adequate supply of flour to the citizens.

District Food Controller Israr Ahmed Khan said a quota of 13,040 bags per day has been allocated for Narowal district. He said in Zafarwal tehsil, 796 flour bags of 10 kg each are given to the people on a daily basis at the government rate.

Deputy Commissioner Narowal Shahrukh Niazi said the quota of flour fixed by the Punjab government is being given to the citizens on a daily basis.

He said the district administration Narowal has set special sale points under its supervision to deliver the flour to the people.

The DC said the administration is fully monitoring the supply of flour to the citizens.

Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2023