PESHAWAR, Nov 15: NWFP caretaker Chief Minister Shamsul Mulk has directed authorities to take practical steps to counter upward trend in the rates of flour and other food items in the market.

At a meeting, presided over by him here on Thursday, the chief minister expressed his concern over the upward trend in the rates of some commodities. The meeting reviewed complaints regarding increase in the rates of flour and other commodities.

He said it was ironic that the authorities had been unable to put a check on the rates.

The chief minister directed the authorities to propose the composition of a provincial price council to regulate the prices of food items in the province.