Sindh moves to stem increase in flour prices
Sets price at Rs33.5 per kg compared to market rate of Rs42.
Baig pointed out that the government had already increased wheat quota of flour mills by 50%, but the mills were still selling flour at unnecessarily high prices. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
The Sindh government has set the retail price of wheat flour at Rs33.5 per kg for the cities of Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpurkhas and Larkana, a step aimed at arresting runaway prices of the key commodity following its ‘artificial’ shortage in the province.
The price is lower by Rs8.5 compared to the rate of Rs42 per kg at which flour is being sold in the market.
In a notification, the Sindh government said ex-mill price of flour would be Rs32 per kg and retail price would be Rs33.5 per kg. At the same time, it asked the deputy director food to strictly enforce the price and ensure adequate supply of flour in the market.
According to the notification, the food department will also constitute monitoring teams that will visit flour mills and markets. “Strict disciplinary action will be taken against officials of the food department if they fail to implement the price decision,” said the Sindh government.
Meanwhile, flour mills further increased the price on Monday. According to retailers, despite closure of bazaars and limited supply in the province because of a strike call, the price for 50kg bag of 2.5 quality flour was increased by Rs50 to Rs1,900 while the price for fine flour reached Rs2,000, also with a rise of Rs50.
In retail, flour of 2.5 quality was being sold for Rs42 per kg and fine flour at Rs44 per kg.
A meeting of large and small flour mills owners, retailers, representatives of consumers and deputy commissioners has been called today (Tuesday) to discuss the new price.
According to Price Control Committee Chairman and Deputy Commissioner Central Dr Saifur Rehman, they will make sure that flour is sold at the price announced by the government and a campaign has already got underway in district central.
Strict action would be taken against the shopkeepers violating the government’s price directive, he said.
Talking to The Express Tribune, the Chairman of Consumer Rights Protection Council and Vice Chairman of FPCCI Standing Committee for Public Utilities, Shakil A Baig, underlined the need for the provincial government that flour was sold in the market at the set price. “The price hike indicates that the provincial government and city administration have completely failed,” he said.
Baig pointed out that the government had already increased wheat quota of flour mills by 50%, but the mills were still selling flour at unnecessarily high prices.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 15th, 2013.
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The Sindh government has set the retail price of wheat flour at Rs33.5 per kg for the cities of Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpurkhas and Larkana, a step aimed at arresting runaway prices of the key commodity following its ‘artificial’ shortage in the province.
The price is lower by Rs8.5 compared to the rate of Rs42 per kg at which flour is being sold in the market.
In a notification, the Sindh government said ex-mill price of flour would be Rs32 per kg and retail price would be Rs33.5 per kg. At the same time, it asked the deputy director food to strictly enforce the price and ensure adequate supply of flour in the market.
According to the notification, the food department will also constitute monitoring teams that will visit flour mills and markets. “Strict disciplinary action will be taken against officials of the food department if they fail to implement the price decision,” said the Sindh government.
Meanwhile, flour mills further increased the price on Monday. According to retailers, despite closure of bazaars and limited supply in the province because of a strike call, the price for 50kg bag of 2.5 quality flour was increased by Rs50 to Rs1,900 while the price for fine flour reached Rs2,000, also with a rise of Rs50.
In retail, flour of 2.5 quality was being sold for Rs42 per kg and fine flour at Rs44 per kg.
A meeting of large and small flour mills owners, retailers, representatives of consumers and deputy commissioners has been called today (Tuesday) to discuss the new price.
According to Price Control Committee Chairman and Deputy Commissioner Central Dr Saifur Rehman, they will make sure that flour is sold at the price announced by the government and a campaign has already got underway in district central.
Strict action would be taken against the shopkeepers violating the government’s price directive, he said.
Talking to The Express Tribune, the Chairman of Consumer Rights Protection Council and Vice Chairman of FPCCI Standing Committee for Public Utilities, Shakil A Baig, underlined the need for the provincial government that flour was sold in the market at the set price. “The price hike indicates that the provincial government and city administration have completely failed,” he said.
Baig pointed out that the government had already increased wheat quota of flour mills by 50%, but the mills were still selling flour at unnecessarily high prices.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 15th, 2013.
Like Business on Facebook to stay informed and join in the conversation.