HYDERABAD, Aug 31: Authorities concerned have been asked to direct the Food Department to release available wheat stock to chakki owners and floor mills on revised rates, said the DCO Hyderabad Aftab Ahmed Khatri. This will help in controlling fluctuating flour prices and make available the commodity, particularly during Ramazan, he said.

The DCO presided a meeting on Thursday in regard to evolving price control mechanism during the holy month.

“At present around million wheat bags including 400,000 with the District Food Control and 600,000 at Bolhari Food Godowns is available but officials look forward to orders from higher authorities to release it in market,” he said.

Delay causes price variation as flour was being sold for Rs16 per kg against Rs13 of last year the DCO complained and expressed his apprehensions of further escalation if wheat was not supplied to mills as Ramazan was around the corner.

The DCO said the district government on the directives of Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil had evolved a strategy to ensure availability of kitchen items at economical rates. All wholesale dealers had been asked to declare their stocks daily while retailers to sell on rates fixed by Local Market Committee, he added.

The DDOs and Mukhtiarkars of Revenue Department will get magisterial powers to take action against profiteers and hoarders on spot he said adding Bachat bazaars and complaint centres will also be established in each taluka.

He further said the management of utilities stores will be made functional where edible items can be had at 15 per cent discount. It will also be asked and facilitate mobile marketing in the district so that all could benefit.

The EDO CDD Shafaat Unnar, DO Revenue Sajjad Haider, Deputy Director Food Hyderabad Makhdoom Saleem Siddiqui, the DFC Hyderabad Salahuddin, Administrator Market Committee Hyderabad Shoukat Ali Mastoi representatives from atta chakki owners association, flourmill association attended the meeting.