20000313

Soomro orders wheat

quota increase for

Karachi, H'abad, Sukkur

KARACHI: The provincial Minister for Food and Agriculture, Iftikhar Soomro, has directed Sindh Food Department to immediately increase the wheat quota for the month of March for Karcahi, Hyderabad and Sukkur.

He issued these directives to discourage artificial shortage of wheat and thwart an attempt by certain elements to take advantage by increasing the prices of the staple commodity.

The minister issued these directives while presiding over a meeting of officials belonging to the province.

He informed the meeting that at present neither there is shortage of wheat nor the prices of the commodity have been enhanced.

The minister said the decision to enhance the wheat quota had been taken as a precautionary step bearing in mind the forthcoming occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.

Soomro said that his department has already issued a directive to the local flour mills to set up 250 stalls at various vintage points for the convenience of the general public where a 10 kg bag of "atta" (flour) will be sold at Rs. 90.

He said that these stalls would continue to function even after Eid-ul-Azha.

Soomro warned that if the received complaints, after increase in wheat quota, about shortage of the commodity or enhancement of prices, he would take stern action against flour millers and 'chakki' owners.

He directed the concerned officials to keep a close watch on the movement of wheat and ensure that the staple commodity is only used for supply of "atta" (flour).

Secretary Food and Cooperative, Munawar Opel, informed the meeting that for the current month the flour quota for Karachi regions had been enhanced from 55,500 tonnes to 70,500 tonnes, for Hyderabad from 28,500 to 30,500 tonnes and for Sukkur region from 25,000 to 27,500 tonnes.

He said that this is the season of wheat procurement during which the supply of the commodity may be affected at times.

Opel further said that the government had taken steps to ensure an uninterrupted supply of wheat.

Director, Food, said that he himself would visit flour mills, 'chakkis' and stall to ensure that the general public should not face any difficulty in purchasing "atta" (flour).ÑAPP