Saturday, May 17, 2008
Our correspondent

TANK: The district administration has failed to overcome the prevailing flour crisis in the area and people have described smuggling as the major cause of the shortage of the commodity in the district.

The crisis persists in the district, as the officials have been unable to maintain the flour supply. Besides, no step has been taken to mitigate the suffering of masses. Residents blame that under the very nose of police and civil administration, wheat and flour smuggling was going on unchecked through secret routes to Afghanistan. Flour prices have shot up to Rs30 per kilogram owing to black marketing whereas the price of 100-kg sack of flour has risen to Rs3,000, which is beyond the reach of the poor.

The flour being provided by local administration on controlled price is also reported to be of low quality and hence hazardous for health. District Nazim Riaz Kundi is of the opinion that because of the ban on the flour movement imposed by the district coordination officer under Section 144 has further worsened the situation. He complained that the district nazim and elected councillors have not been taken into confidence while taking the decision. People have called upon the high-ups to take notice of the situation and order prompt action against those responsible for shortage of flour.

http://thenews.jang.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=113120