PM Imran takes notice of hike in flour price in Punjab
Last updated on: 06 July,2020 06:39 pm
PM directs Punjab govt to revert hike in flour price
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday took notice of hike in flour prices in Punjab and directed to ensure provision of floor on cheap rates to poor people.
The prime minister while directing the Punjab government to take steps to reduce the prices of flour and said that the price of flour should be restored to its old level and strict action should be taken against the hoarders.
Punjab Food Department bowed down to the demands of the owners of four mills and increased the price price of a 20-kilogram flour bag by Rs 55 and will now cost Rs 860.
After the implementation of the new prices, the price of flour will increase by Rs2.75 per kg and in the open market, the flour will be available at Rs 43 per kg instead of Rs40.25. Prices will apply temporarily for the next two months.
The Flour Mills Association chairman has issued an audio message saying that the newly appointed Secretary Food has called a meeting last night and accepted all the their demands.
Flour Mills Association chairman Asim Raza said that the retail price of 20-kg flour bag would be Rs 860.
On July 2, the Punjab government had approved a two-month interim policy to provide wheat at Rs1475 per maund to flour mills across the province.
Sardar Usman Buzdar said that by reducing the price of flour, relief will be provided to the public.
According to details, a meeting of the Punjab Cabinet was held under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar in which it was decided to stabilize the prices of flour and the price of 20 kg bag of flour was fixed at Rs 850. With this, a 20 kg bag will now be available for Rs 850, instead of Rs 1,050, in the market.
The provincial cabinet also approved the early release of wheat to the flour mills and fixed the price of government wheat at the rate of Rs1475 per maund.
Flour Mills will fix the price of flour at the rate agreed with the Punjab government, this interim policy will stay in force for two months. The Punjab Food Department will give government wheat quota to functional flour mills only.
The Punjab Cabinet has also sought a comprehensive plan from the Food Department for targeted subsidies. The food department will make its final recommendations within 30 days.
Addressing the meeting, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar said that prices of flour and wheat would be stabilized in an effort to provide relief to the people of Punjab.