After holding a series of meetings, the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture is reported to have approached the Prime Minister to intervene and take some revolutionary steps to overcome the wheat crises that have gripped the entire nation all over the country.
The meetings held between Federal and Provincial authorities many times in the past have resulted in utter failure and the market is in full control of private sector. The writ of the government does not appear anywhere following the prices of wheat flour going beyond the reach of the common man.
Now the prices are raging between Rs 15 and 20 per kg. These prices are unheard of and uncalled for. It seems strange that the increase in the production of local wheat is adding fuel to fire.
Market sources, when contacted by Business Recorder, said: "It is a historical fact that anything that goes up in Pakistan never comes down. Let it be taken in any sense."
The private sector has taken away the lion's share in the procurement of wheat in Sindh and the stocks have gone underground. This they have done after paying higher prices than that of the government for the purchase of the commodity from farmers.
The Sindh and Punjab governments have not budged an inch from their stand to lift ban on the inter-district or inter-provincial movement of wheat.
Sources said that the government is unable to impose control on prices of flour. "Gone are the days of imposition of control. Free economy is the principle of the government whether it suits Pakistan or not."
It is reported that wheat millers are earning 100 percent profit. They purchased wheat from growers at about Rs 400 for 40 kg.
That means a kg costs them Rs 10, and they sell flour at Rs 20 per kg. This price is not prevalent in all places, but a number of millers are taking this undue advantage. At most places the price charged is Rs 15 per kg.
It is being suggested that high rate of subsidy or establishment of a large number of fair price shops can solve the existing wheat problem.
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