Seven held over embezzling flour
A worker piles up bags of flour inside a warehouse in Iraq's southern port city of Basra. AFP
The district administration arrested seven suspects over embezzling flour bags from mills and sale points during a special operation conducted in the district on Thursday.
As per the directives of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Muhammad Tahir Watto, strict monitoring of flour distribution was started to ensure an uninterrupted supply of flour in the district.
The DC performed surprise visits to flour mills and flour sale points. During separate raids, the DC and Assistant Commissioner City Khawaja Umair Mahmood arrested seven staff members of flour mills and flour sale points over their alleged embezzlement of flour bags.
Speaking on the occasion, DC Watto said that strict action would be taken against officials involved in flour embezzlement and added that flour mills were directed to ensure flour supply in line with the wheat quota.
He additionally ordered the food department to arrange for the easy accessibility of flour for the masses so that they no longer have to wait in queues. He added that special inspection teams were formed under the supervision of all ACs to prevent embezzlement.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 13th, 2023.