Punjab Government approves flour price hike

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Law, Rana Sanaullah Khan has said that Punjab government will give a subsidy of Rs.18 billion for providing flour on concessional rates to the consumers. He said that Food Department will be issued wheat for Rs.1330 per 40kg and flour bag of 20kg will be available to the consumers for Rs.785. Punjab government has stock of 3946000 metric ton wheat which will meet the requirements of Punjab till the beginning of next year. Five lakh metric ton of wheat is surplus from the needs of Punjab, he added.

He told this while addressing a press conference at 90-Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam, today. Provincial Minister for Food Bilal Yasin, Agriculture Minister Dr. Farrukh Javed, Provincial Minister for Health Khalil Tahir Sindhu and Secretary Food were also present on the occasion. Rana Sanaullah said that Punjab Chief Minister constituted a committee comprising three Ministers including Provincial Minister for Law, Food Minister and Agriculture Minister for fixing the price of wheat this year. He informed that while keeping the situation, the price of 40kg wheat has been fixed at Rs.1330/-. He said that abundant wheat stock is available in the province and there is no question of its shortage in the market.

Provincial Minister for Law said that Food Department has evolved a strategy for ensuring the quality of flour and provision of benefit of subsidy to the common man. He said that steps would be taken along with industrialists for the provision of flour to the labourers on cheaper rates in the industrial areas. He said that in accordance with the vision of Punjab Minister, production of wheat will be increased which will not only meet the requirement of Punjab but could also be exported to other provinces and countries. Rana Sanaullah said that price of wheat and flour is less in Punjab as compared to other provinces. He said that City District Government and Food Department have been directed to provide roti to the common man on affordable rates in the province and strict action be taken against those involved in overcharging.

Replying to a question, Provincial Law Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, government is making sincere efforts for the elimination of energy crisis and terrorism, provision of justice and relief to the common man. He said that every penny of the people is being spent on their welfare with honesty and commitment and there is not a single example of corruption caused to national exchequer in 90 days throughout the country.

Provincial Minister for Food, Bilal Yasin said on the occasion that the quota of flour mills would be cancelled on the complaint of provision of substandard four. He said that Food Department has evolved a comprehensive strategy for controlling the prices and maintaining the quality of flour. He said that while fixing wheat price the interests of consumers and farmers have been kept in view.

Provincial Agriculture Minister, Dr. Farrukh Javed said that government is already giving subsidy to the farmers on fertilizers. He said that government is considering launching tractor scheme again for creating the trend of healthy competition among the farmers.