SANGHAR, March 18: District council members have expressed concern over shortage of wheat and rising prices of flour as well as sale of spurious cotton seeds in the district.

Speaking at Thursday's session, Dr Rubina Rauf said that flour was not available anywhere and if it was available at all it was being sold at Rs16 to Rs18 per kilo.

The Nazim of Union Council Jhol, Dr Hashim Khaskheli, said that they had pointed out some three months ago that wheat stocks at Food Department godowns should not be allowed to be shifted to other districts, but no one heeded their calls.

Answering a question, the assistant controller, food, said that a target of one million bags is set for 52 centres to purchase wheat. Murad Ali Nizamani said that cotton sowing season is approaching and the dealers who were selling spurious goods were preparing to sell substandard seeds as well.

On a proposal to impose section 144 CrPC to ban the movement of wheat, the district nazim said that without the recommendations of the DCO and DPO, he can not impose Section 144. He asked the members to submit 20 names each for awarding Rs1200 from Baitulmaal funds.