Lahore: Activities have intensified in the flour milling sector to stabilize the supply of flour in Punjab, where 770 flour mills across the province have started the process of grinding wheat. According to Director Food Punjab Amjad Hafeez, 514 of these flour mills have been declared eligible to receive subsidized wheat, which are receiving wheat at government rates daily.
Amjad Hafeez said that 34,500 metric tons of wheat were ground in just one day, out of which 15,000 metric tons were subsidized wheat. About 2 million bags of flour were prepared and supplied in the market from this subsidized wheat.
According to the Food Director, 10.5 million bags of flour were sold at controlled prices today, which provided temporary relief to the citizens. He said that a 10 kg bag of flour is available in the market for Rs. 905 while a 20 kg bag of flour is available for Rs. 1,810.
Amjad Hafeez further said that the number of active flour mills receiving subsidy was earlier 415, which has now increased to 514, while this number is expected to reach 770 in the coming days. According to him, the policy of the Punjab Chief Minister is proving effective in the flour milling sector and its positive effects are coming out in the form of availability of flour and stability in prices.
He said that the condition of flour mills meeting the functional standards has played an important role in improving the system. The government is trying to ensure that flour is available to every citizen at a reasonable price and that artificial shortages are not allowed.
However, on the other hand, the data of the Federal Bureau of Statistics is causing concern for the public. According to official documents, the price of a 20-kilogram bag of flour has increased by Rs 40 to Rs 590 in different cities of the country in just one week.
According to the data, the price of a 20-kilogram bag of flour in Islamabad has reached Rs 2,893.33, which is the highest in the country. In Rawalpindi, the same bag is being sold for Rs 2,866.47, while in Peshawar the price has reached Rs 2,850.
In Quetta, a bag of flour is being sold for Rs 2,660, while in Karachi it is being sold for Rs 2,600. In Bannu, the price has been recorded as high as Rs 2,800.
Citizens say that despite official claims, flour prices in the market are becoming out of reach of the common man. Public circles are demanding that the government take more practical steps to control the price difference.
According to experts, if the number of flour mills becomes fully operational and the subsidy system remains transparent, flour prices may stabilize in the coming weeks. However, in the current situation, more concrete government measures are needed to provide complete relief to the public.
Flour supply improves in Punjab, 770 flour mills start grinding wheat
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