LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided opening of the free flour distribution centers in Punjab from 6:00am in the morning. A meeting chaired by Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi today fixed opening time of the free flour distribution centers at 6:00am. “The ministers, secretaries will perform duties in various districts for three days. They will visit flour distribution centers to monitor the situation,” Mohsin Naqvi has said. “DPOs and deputy commissioners will also be present at centers in the morning,” he said.
Caretaker CM also directed for deployment of additional police force at flour distribution centers to avoid untoward incidents. Naqvi expressed resentment over stampede and hustling incidents at flour centers in Sahiwal and other cities of the province. He directed authorities for better management of crowds at Atta centers. “The people should be guided and advised through public announcements to stand in queues,” caretaker CM said. The session chaired by the CM was briefed that around 13.2 million flour sacks have been distributed across Punjab so far. “Today 2.1 mln flour sacks have been distributed, which is maximum in a short span of time,” the session informed.
It is pertinent to mention here that several incidents of stampede as well forcefully pushing have been reported during distribution of free flour at various flour distribution centers in Punjab. In a stampede in Sahiwal two women died and 45 others were injured today. In another incident elsewhere a woman died in violent hustling, while scores of others reported injured.