SANGHAR, March 13: The food department has stopped supply of wheat to all of the some 365 chakkis in the district, according to sources.

Although, procurement receipts were issued to chakki owners, banks refused to collect the amount on verbal instructions of the food officials.

On Friday, flour was available at Rs560 to Rs600 per 40kg while the rate of wheat was between Rs470 to Rs500. Moreover, flour available at stores is of inferior quality.

The harvesting ofwheat crop in the last week of March will down the prices of flour, but till then, the government must arrange the supply of wheat on urgent basis to stabilize the price of flour.

Rice, which is the alternate of wheat, particularly in rural areas, has also witnessed an increase in price. The Irri-6 variety of rice, which was available at Rs400 per 40kg a few weeks back, is now available at Rs550 to Rs580.