Sindh Minister for Food, Manzoor Hussain Wasaan taking strong exception to reports about arbitrary increase in the rates of rotis by some sellers, urged officials to take prompt action against the profiteers violating the official rates of the essential food item.
Chairing a meeting on Monday, he said the Sindh government was providing wheat and flour to the masses at subsidised rates and did not charge for transportation and storage facilities.
“We cannot allow anyone to exploit anyone’s need for food, especially not the masses,” said Wasaan.
It was mentioned on the occasion that the officially fixed price for a 100 Kg wheat flour bag in the province was Rs 3,200, which when added with the cost of jute bags comes to a total of Rs 3,340, and if sold in plastic bags costs the consumers Rs 3,275.
Minister Manzoor Wasaan was informed by concerned officials that a 100 Kg flour bag was available in the open market in Karachi at Rs 3400 to Rs 3450 against Rs 3390 in other provinces.
The meeting also appreciated the fact that while protecting the right of consumers, the Sindh government, in view of the interest of the cultivators, had also adopted a liberal policy about the sale of wheat and flour.
“However, to maintain a balance and avert any shortage of the essential food, the growers are required to sell a certain proportion of wheat to the government prior to its sale in the open market,” the minister said.
He directed the concerned officials to coordinate with the districts’ administration in stabilising the price of flour and roti across the province.
The meeting was also attended by provincial secretary for food, Laiq Ahmed and other senior officials associated with the Sindh food department, including its director, Ahmed Ali Qureshi.