LAHORE: Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa says physical tagging of all sale points has been completed in connection with free flour distribution while the number of trucking points will also be increased.

He was chairing an important meeting on the distribution of free flour in Ramazan. The deputy commissioners of Lahore, Sheikhupura and Kasur, additional commissioner, director food Lahore, regional officers and officers of Utility Stores were present in the meeting. The deputy secretary CM Office participated through a video link.

Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) Chairman Faisal Yusuf gave a detailed briefing on the Free Flour Distribution Application and transmission of wheat to the sale points. He said the PITB application was ready for flour operations and all the steps would be monitored, adding that 8070 would be the inquiry number to know the eligibility of citizens for free flour and those entitled to it would be able to get information.

Commissioner Randhawa said that 24/7 sales points would also be set up in the city for eligible citizens and the low-income citizens would be able to get a total of three 10kg bags of free flour. “The beneficiaries will get a total of three bags of free flour in a month and after 10 days; one bag would be distributed to each entitled person.

The commissioner said that the citizens can get information, send complaints on 08002345 message service and identification by CNIC number can also be determined at the sales points.

He said that DCs and ACs will have a dashboard login and there will be direct monitoring as cameras will be installed at the cell points and the ACs will be present at the cell points themselves.

Mr Randhawa said a special plan would be prepared for the management of queues while the number of desks and counters would be increased. He claimed that a transparent procedure was in place for free flour distribution and the right of the rightful person was to be conveyed to him.

Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2023