10 new flour sale points set up
A worker grinds wheat at a shop in the Saddar area of Karachi to make whole-grain flour. Grocery stores are retailing a 5kgs bag of flour for Rs600 to Rs750 against previous rates of Rs550.. Photo: Jalal Qureshi/express
Ten new sale points were established across the district to provide cheap flour to the public. For the first time, 10kg bags of flour will be available for Rs648, in order to extend relief to the people, according to local officials.
Separate sale points for men and women were set up at central locations, where citizens can benefit from the availability of cheap flour, only requiring a national identity card to redeem the facility.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, daily wage labourers welcomed the provision of cheap flour amid the present state of inflation.
A local resident, Iqbal Cheena, said that at a time when the poor were facing extreme financial difficulties, the cheap flour scheme was a very good, albeit under-appreciated, initiative of the district administration. He said such welfare initiatives should continue in the near future so that poor people could cope with the financial hardships.
Deputy Commissioner Imran Hussain Ranjha, Additional Deputy Commissioner General Abbas Raza Nasir and District Food Controller Jamshed Afzal Buttar paid a surprise visit to the sale points and reviewed the arrangements made regarding the sale of cheap flour.
Speaking to The Express Tribune at the main sale point at Mela Ground, DC Ranjha said that 10 government sale points had been set up to ensure the availability of discounted flour in Bhakkar, Mankira, Darya Khan and Kalurkot tehsils.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 15th, 2023.