The DCO, Hyderabad, Ali Ahmed Lund, has warned the hoarders to declare their wheat stocks and bring the same in the market, failing which strict action would be taken against them. This warning he gave while presiding over a meeting regarding wheat procurement drive and supply of Atta in the market at Shahbaz Hall, Shahbaz Building, Hyderabad.
Addressing the meeting, he expressed dissatisfaction over the wheat procurement drive launched by the District Food Management, Hyderabad, which could procure only 12,393 wheat bags against the target of 20,500 bags entrusted to them. He directed the District Food Management to adopt strategy in such a way that no wheat shortage in the district could take place in future.
The DCO expressed apprehension over fluctuation in flour prices,and appointed a fact-finding committee headed by EDO Revenue Barkaat Rizvi, with one member from each stakeholder organisation, and assigned the committee to assess and examine the availability of wheat and prevailing prices of flour in the market, and also prepare proposals and strategy for re-fixing the prices of flour, Roti Tandori nan, and other essential commodities.
He directed that in this exercise, the merchant organisations should also be consulted. He directed the committee to submit its report in detail within three days so that this task could be completed within a week's time. He said that it was the responsibility of market committee to get the government decision implemented in letter and spirit.
He was optimistic that the government was taking steps on provincial level to maintain the supply of wheat as per demand of each district not only to curb the hoarding activities but also to ensure proper supply of flour at reasonable rate to the people.
The District Audit Officer of Food Department Hyderabad, Salahuddin, informed the meeting that District Food Management had failed to achieve procurement target due to wide difference in government and open market prices.
Besides, three Taluka of Hyderabad District comprised urban areas where no wheat was produced. He said that at present there was no flour shortage in the District but price was high due to faulty market mechanism. He was optimistic that after lifting ban on wheat movement, the demand/supply of the wheat could be maintained and the problems of wheat/flour supply would also be resolved. Beside EDO (R), DDO (R), and all Mukhtiarkars of the District and other officers of concerned departments were present in the meeting.
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