Sindh Food and Agriculture Minister Arif Mustafa Jatoi on Friday said that the flour mills were lifting less wheat than their quota from the government godowns and creating an impression of flour shortage in the province.
Jatoi was presiding over a meeting in his office to review wheat stock position in the province.
The minister after reviewing reports of wheat supply for December said that like in October and November, the quota for December remained unutilised and against the quota of 165,000 tonnes the mills lifted only 133,881 tonnes.
"It is clear from the review that false impression of shortage is being propagated by the vested interests," he added.
The minister said that all arrangements had been made to maintain adequate stocks in the government godowns.
He said, "150,000 tonnes of wheat is already stored in the government godowns, while approximately 100,000 tonnes is expected from Passco and additionally 300,000 tonnes of wheat has been allocated to Sindh from imports and if need be wheat may be shifted from the Punjab in accordance with the Sindh's requirement."
He said that it was the vested interests that had been spreading all kinds of rumours, including shortage of the commodity.
Referring to the reports that had appeared in the print media regarding shortage and black-marketing of wheat in District Khairpur, he said that an ugly situation had been created after hoarding wheat at retail and wholesale levels.
He said that the Chakki and flour mill owners were being closely monitored and were bound to supply wheat flour at the rates fixed by the government.
He said, "The rates agreed by the mill association is Rs11 per kilogram ex-mill and the retailers have committed to sell flour at Rs 11.50 per kilogram. This is being monitored daily by the Food Department."
Jatoi said that it was the responsibility of the district and the city governments to ensure price control and to curb black-marketing and hoarding by the vested interests.
He said that the provincial government had been requested to give magisterial powers to the DCOs so that they might take action against the wrongdoers.
He said that he stood committed to stern action against the black-marketers and hoarders of wheat and other daily use goods.