Karachi, November 07, 2019 (PPI-OT): Chief Secretary Sindh Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah directed the district administration to check flour price on the market on a daily basis and conduct raids on mills and godowns to check hoarding. This he directed while presiding over an important meeting regarding hike in flour price in the city. The meeting was attended by the Secretary Food Laeeq Ahmed, Secretary Agriculture, Price Bureau and Supply Agha Zaheeruddin, Secretary Implementation and Coordination Riaz Ahmed Siddique, Additional Commissioner 1 Karachi, members of flour mill association and other concerned officers of the Sindh Food department.
Speaking on the occasion the Chief Secretary Sindh stated that the in Karachi as per the requirement 2 lakh matric ton of wheat is being provided to the flour mills and there is no shortage of the wheat. He further stated that when the required wheat is being provided them why the prices of the flour have been increased. He further stated that stern action will be taken against the hoarders and the officer concerned.
While briefing the meeting the Secretary Food and members of flour mill association have informed the meeting that out of 76 flour miles only 56 mills are functional in Karachi division, in Hyderabad division 9 mills out of 18 are functional, in Larkana division 18 out of 19 flour mills are functional, in Mirpurkhas division 5 out of 9 flour mills are functional, in Shaheed Benazirabad 8 out of 16 Flour mills are functional and in Sukkur Division 26 Flour mills out of 62 are functional.
The members of Flour Mills Association demanded of the government not to provide wheat to the non-functional flour mills of the province. On this the Chief Secretary states that those mills which were not functional during last 13 months will not be provided with wheat quota and in this regard a policy will be put before the Sindh Cabinet.
Mumtaz Ali Shah further stated that the provincial government has the sufficient wheat stock and additional 4 lakh matric tons will be given by the PASCO to the provincial government. The meeting was informed that the province had sufficient stock of wheat and flour but the vested interests were trying to create artificial shortage the mill association also informed the CS about illegal smuggling of wheat from Jacobabad to KPK and even Afghanistan.
The CS said he was optimistic that better wheat supply to mills would stabilize the market and reduce flour price. The CS also directed deputy commissioner concerned to check flour price on the market on a daily basis and conduct raids on mills and godowns to check hoarding. On the occasion a committee comprising 1 officer from each the district administration and Sindh Food Department and 2 members of flour mills association to check the quality of available wheat at warehouse of Sindh Food Department and submit report within 24 hours.
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