FAISALABAD, Dec 5: A record increase has been witnessed in the flour prices as the shopkeepers are selling the commodity at Rs16 per kg while the 20kg bag is being sold at Rs300 in the city.

After a round of some residential areas, it was observed that the Food department and other agencies concerned had failed to bring down the prices of flour despite hue and cry of the people.

The shopkeepers were seen selling the flour at record high rates on the plea that the flour mills had charged from them high prices. The fair price shops set up by the Food department were also seen inoperative in major city areas. However, these shops were also found selling the 20kg flour bag at Rs250 as against the official price of Rs233.

Citizens have criticized the government agencies for high prices of the commodity. They said the government claims of progress and prosperity in the country held no ground as none of the kitchen items or consumer goods was available at reasonable rates.

They alleged that the price spiral in the present regime was much higher as compared with the price-hike in previous tenures. They asked the prime minister and chief minister to take stock of the situation and ensure the supply of daily use items at controlled rates.