Flour prices put daily bread beyond reach

TANDO JAM:

Rising flour prices in Tando Jam and other towns of Hyderabad Rural taluka have intensified fi-nancial hardships for low- and middle-income families, making it increasingly difficult for daily-wage workers to provide two meals a day for their households.

Daily labourers, street vendors, small shopkeepers and other low-income earners are struggling to cope with rising living costs, residents said, adding that flour was becoming increasingly difficult to afford on limited in-comes.

They said limited employment opportunities, coupled with soaring electricity bills, house rents, education ex-penses, healthcare costs and rising prices of essential commodities, had placed an unbearable burden on household budgets.

Residents stressed that while families could sometimes manage by cutting back on non-essential expenses, ris-ing prices of basic food items left them with few options. They warned that continued increases in flour prices could also affect children's nutrition and the overall health of vulnerable households.

Public circles have questioned the performance of the district administration, the food department and other relevant authorities, asking why effective measures have not been taken to control prices and ensure compli-ance with official rates.

Citizens urged authorities to regularly monitor flour prices in local markets and take legal action against trad-ers charging above the prescribed rates, as well as those involved in hoarding and profiteering.

They said issuing price lists and making announcements would not be enough without effective market inspec-tions and enforcement.

Residents of Tando Jam and other parts of Hyderabad Rural taluka appealed for immediate relief measures, saying authorities must ensure flour remains affordable and accessible to ordinary families.

They said their demand was simple: affordable food so that household kitchens could keep running and chil-dren could receive two meals a day.