From Qazi Shoaib Khan / DNA

ATTOCK, DEC-09 – District Food Controller Rawalpindi Sufian Asif Awan has said that over 80 truckers point has been established to supply flour to the masses on daily basis at their door steps in various markets and bazaars across the district. He was briefing newsmen about the anti-wheat smuggling activities by the food department on Attock-Rawalpindi district border at Brahma-Bhattar toll plaza near here on Friday.

Ruling out paucity of flour or artificial shortage of the basic commodity in the district, Mr Awan has said that with the recommendation of the concerned assistant commissioners of the relevant tehsils, flour is being supplied to as many as 2200 shops on daily basis across the district. Responding another question, Mr Awan has said that with the recommendation of the concerned assistant commissioners of the relevant tehsils, flour is being supplied to as many as 2200 shops on daily basis across the district

Mr Awan has said that in line with directives of the district administration regarding strict monitoring of flour mills, the food department launched a crackdown against the flour mills for not providing required quota. “The food department will take action against hoarders and those involved in the cartelization of wheat causing a price hike as we have a surplus of agricultural commodities in the Rawalpindi division” He added. Responding to another question, Mr Awan has denied claims about flour shortages in the district and added that an ample quantity of flour was available at all sale points.

Talking to newsmen on this occasion, Peraviz Butt President central Karyana association Rawalpindi district rejecting the paucity of flour for the common consumers in the district. He said that association with other stake holders including flour mills association and food department is supplying flour to 40 different bazars on daily basis. He said the trucks carrying flour send by flour mills and later sold under the supervision of association and food department. He said that the flour millers are supplying flour bag at Rs 640 per bag to the shopkeepers and they sale it on retail price of Rs 648. 

Meanwhile assistant commissioner HassanabdalArif Qureshi paid surprise visit to food check post at JehriKass on Hassanabdal- Hazra route on early hours of Friday to monitor the working of the check post. On this occasion, he checked the attendance of the staff and movement of trucks especially entering from Punjab to Hazara division.

Qazi Shoaib Khan, District Correspondent, Attock