VEHARI, Jan 31: There has been an acute shortage of flour in the district for the last one month and the situation seemed to be worsening.

Insiders told Dawn on Friday that the shortage was allegedly caused by the nine flour mills in the district in connivance with the food department and Passco officials. The district government seemed to be helpless against the strong mills mafia, they added.

The shortage was created by the millers to increase the rate of flour. At the moment, a 20-kilogram flour bag is being sold for Rs240 instead of Rs208 fixed by the government.

The commodity was easily available at Rs195 per bag during Ramazan due to strict Punjab government control. As the government announced 'Sasta Ata Scheme' for the poor and set up six sale points in the district, the millers created artificial shortage of flour to mint money.

Interestingly, the millers, food department and Passco officials blamed each other for the crisis when contacted by this scribe for their comments on the situation.

Meanwhile, a district government spokesman said TMOs had been given magisterial powers during Ramazan. But, now they could not control the price or artificial shortage as the power has been withdrawn. He urged the government to restore the powers to TMOs if it wanted to provide relief to the masses.

A large number of people from all walks of life also expressed their concern at the government apathy towards the plight of the poor and urged it to take immediate steps to overcome the shortage.