Merchants stop flour sale in Multan

MULTAN: Merchants here have stopped sale of wheat flour in the market after the price of 40 kilogram wheat reached upto Rs 2,000 on Thursday.

At some points in the city wheat flour was available at Rs 75 per kilogramme. However, roti and naan makers have not increased the prices. According to a survey, the owners of wheat grinding outlets of Bosan Road, Ghanta Ghar, Doulat Gate, Ali Chowk, Walled City, Nawan Sher, Aziz Hotel and some other parts of the city have halted grinding of wheat to avoid raids of Price Control Magistrates. An owner of wheat grinding outlet of Bosan Road said it was not possible to sell wheat flour at Rs 42 per kg because of black marketing of the wheat.

He said 40 kg wheat is available at Rs 2,000, but from 40 kg wheat only 35 kgwheat flour is produced. He said when one kilogramme wheat flour is sold for Rs 50, them who would pay for transportation, electricity, labour costs and miscellaneous expenses. He said keeping minimum profit in mind, one kilogramme wheat flour would be sold from Rs 55 to Rs 60 and merchants cannot sell wheat flour less than Rs 65 per kilogramme.

Some owners of wheat grinding units are of the view that City District Administration has increased daily wheat bags issuance quota from three to five bags.

People say it is not possible for merchants to sell wheat flour at official rates. The situation is affecting labour class and daily wagers. According to officials of City District Administration, per kg wheat flour prices have been fixed at Rs 41 per kilogramme and action would be taken against violators.