LAHORE, Aug 24: The Punjab government has reportedly decided to release wheat to flour mills before Ramazan to ensure its abundant availability in the market at lower rates.

The decision was taken at a meeting presided over by Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi here on Friday. The meeting was attended by Food Minister Hussain Jahanian Gardezi and Chief Secretary Salman Siddique.

Officials said the policy regarding wheat policy to mills would likely be announced on Monday.

According to an official handout, the chief minister said the government would provide sufficient wheat to flourmills to ensure smooth supply of good quality flour to the people at lower rates.

He said strict action would be taken against those involved in hoarding and profiteering of wheat. He said only operational floor mills should obtain wheat.

He directed the authorities to ensure easy availability of flour to the people in big cities as well as rural areas.

Mr Elahi said the government had decided to construct state-of-the-art silos so as to improve the storage system of wheat. The silos will have a storage capacity of up to 500,000 tonnes of wheat.

He said the stability of flour price was an important feature of the government policy and it would never allow an increase in it. The government had sufficient stocks of wheat which would help stabilise the price of flour, he said.

MEETING: Chairman of the Standing Committee on Literacy and Punjab PML Vice-president Ansar Iqbal Baryar, alongwith Muhammad Salim Baryar, called on Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi here on Friday.

Party matters with a focus on Sialkot district came under discussuion.

Baryar apprised the chief minister about his efforts to organize the PML at grassroots level in the district.

ACE: The Anti-Corruption Establishment, Punjab, has arrested a draftsman of EDO Works & Services, Lahore, a senior clerk in the office of Deputy Director, Housing, Faisalabad and a constable of Excise and Taxation Department, Lahore, for taking bribe, reports APP.

Muhammad Aslam of Lahore filed an application with the ACE that Muhammad Bashir, the draftsman of EDO Works & Services, was demanding Rs3,000 as bribe to prepare and pass the plan of his house.

ACE circle officer conducted a raid and arrested draftsman Muhammad Bashir from the office of City District Government, Lahore, when he was receiving illegal gratification of Rs2,500 from the complainant.

Similarly, a constable of Excise and Taxation Department was arrested on the complaint of Yasir Nawaz for receiving Rs30,000 bribe for reducing his property tax.

In another raid in Faisalabad, the ACE arrested Muhammad Riaz, a senior clerk, Office of Deputy Director, Housing, Faisalabad, while taking illegal gratification of Rs2000 for completing an ownership deed.