Provincial Minister for Planning and Development Malik Nadeem Kamran has said that on the direction of Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, sale of unsubsidized flour in white bags has been banned in the province during the holy month of Ramzan to ensure availability of subsidized flour in open market. Only subsidized flour in green bags will be allowed to be sold in Ramzan bazaars and open market from June 11 onwards.
Chairing a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Ramzan Plan at Civil Secretariat on Friday, the minister said that the decision to ban the sale of flour in white bags was taken so that the benefit of subsidized flour could be given to maximum number of people. He said that the quality, quantity and sale of commodities at fixed prices will be ensured in Ramzan bazaars.
Chief Secretary Punjab Capt (r) Zahid Saeed said that the Punjab government has given subsidy on flour, adding that in view of the unavailability of subsidized flour at some places, it was decided that all flour mills in the province would only be allowed to sale subsidized flour in green bags. He directed the deputy commissioners to ensure implementation of this order and take action in case of violation. He also ordered them to personally visit markets to monitor auction as per the instructions of the chief minister. There would be zero tolerance in this matter, he warned.
The Secretary Food Department told the meeting that all the flour mills in the province have been informed about the ban on sale of unsubsidized flour in white bags and policy on provision of subsidized flour. He said that wheat quota for districts have been increased for adding more flour mills in the system of provision of subsidized flour.
Secretary Industries, Additional IG Special Branch, deputy commissioner Lahore, officers of Agriculture and Livestock Department were present in the meeting, whereas deputy commissioners joined the meeting through video link.
