Punjab govt increases wheat quota for flourmills

The Punjab Food Department has increased the quota of government wheat for flourmills from 17,500 to 20,000 metric tonnes per day to ensure abundant availability of flour at fixed rates across the province.

This was stated in a briefing during the daily-review meeting on price control chaired by Punjab Chief Secretary Jawad Rafique Malik here on Saturday. The meeting discussed in detail the prices and availability of essential commodities including flour and sugar in Sahulat bazaars and open market.

Jawad Rafique Malik directed the officers to keep a close watch on the prices of eatables as well as their quality and supply. He said that wheat quota for flourmills had been increased to ensure abundant quantity of flour in the market. In this regard, he said, deputy commissioners should keep the Food Department informed about the demand of their districts.

The chief secretary said that as per directions of Prime Minister Imran Khan and Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, there would be no shortage of food items, especially flour and sugar, in the market. He said that imported sugar would be supplied to Sahulat bazaars and market as soon as it arrives in the country. He mentioned that the number of Sahulat bazaars was being increased to provide maximum relief to the common man. These bazaars are not only providing consumers with daily-use items at discounted rates but also helping decrease the prices in the open market.

The meeting was attended by the additional chief secretary (South Punjab), food secretary, heads of Urban Unit and PITB, commissioner of Lahore, Punjab food director and special secretary for agriculture marketing. Divisional commissioners, RPOs, deputy commissioners and DPOs participated in the meeting via video link.