SARGODHA, May 19: Sugar availability at the subsidised rate of Rs27.50 per kilogram at local utility stores has not been ensured.

Long queues of men, women and children are seen on every utility store but hardly 20 per cent people benefit, with one packet of 2kg sugar for each person.

The Utility Stores Corporation regional manager could not be contacted for comments. An employee, seeking anonymity, said packets were made from the bulk of sugar put on floor and as such some dust was also mixed with it.

Moreover, he said, water was also sprinkled on sugar before packing to increase its weight.

A retailer told this correspondent that he purchased a 2kg packet of sugar for Rs66 and sold it for Rs39 per kg.

He said in a 2 kg packet was usually short of 90 to 200 grams of sugar. Moreover, he said people avoided to purchase wet sugar.