Punjab cuts off feed mills' wheat supply

The Punjab government has decided to enforce the ban of wheat in feed mills for 30 days - till October 3 - to increase supply for human consumption. The Punjab home secretary imposed this restriction under Section 144(6) of the Criminal Procedure Code 1898.

"The use of wheat in feed manufacturing by the feed millers in the province of Punjab is prohibited in the larger public interest," the provincial Home Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman. 

Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure empowers district administration to issue orders in public interest that may place a ban on an activity for a specific period of time. Such a ban is enforced by the police, who register cases against violations. Punishment can carry a maximum penalty of six months in prison and/or fine.

With Punjab now entering its third week of flooding, thousands of acres of crops have been destroyed and food prices are expected to surge across the country.

According to the order issued by the Home Secretary, wheat will only be used in flour mills for the production of flour. The government has taken this step in light of apprehension of a possible shortage of wheat in the province.

Feed mills in Punjab currently house stock of 104,184 metric tons of wheat. According to a report by the secretary of prrice control, feed mills were using wheat for poultry feed.

The notification issued by the home department states that the ban will remain in effect until October 3.

The order has been publiscised through the use of offical gazette, newspapers and media in order to enhance public awareness, said the Punjab home department spokesperson.