Directive to ensure flour availability at fixed rates

LAHORE:Chief Secretary Major (R) Azam Suleman Khan has directed officers to ensure availability of flour at the price fixed by the government in the province and take stern action against the flour mills which are not complying with the instructions.

He along with Provincial Minister for Industries Mian Alsam Iqbal was presiding over a meeting at his camp office. All commissioners and deputy commissioners were directed to take measures against smuggling of flour and the artificial crisis of flour.

During the meeting, field officers were also instructed to keep close liaison with the district price committees and representatives of market committees for ensuring provision of vegetables, fruits, sugar, pulses, cooking oil and other edibles on the prices fixed by the government.

Food secretary told the chief secretary that introduction of grading system in the markets had increased the purchasing power of the customer since the system ensures eradication of unfair pricing and no extra burden is being faced by the consumer. Secretary Industries apprised the CS that at present online home delivery service is functional in three cities, including Multan, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad and soon it will be started in Lahore and Gujranwala.

Taking into consideration upcoming crushing season, it was decided that at least one sugar mill will be made functional in each district. CS directed the field officers to check the operational status of the sugar mills.