FAISALABAD, May 25: Pakistan Edible Oil Refinery Association (Peora) chairman Mian Mohammad Hanif said on Friday that purchase of ghee by the government from selected manufacturers would ruin local industry and disturb prices of edible oil and ghee.

He said owing to high rates of labour, transport and surge in prices of packing material, there was no option with the manufacturers, but to increase prices of their products. Vegetable and cooking oil prices are raging from Rs85 to Rs95 in the country.

He criticised the government for acquiring the assistance of utility stores to provide oil to people instead of open market. However, he said it would not give any relief to the people living in the remote areas as utility stores have no network in such areas.

He urged the government to waive off import duty and curtail rates of sales tax so that consumers could be benefited. He also offered assistance of the association to resolve the crisis.