Food ministers and officials of Punjab and NWFP will be meeting here in Lahore on July 10, 2008 to review the progress on the agreement reached between the two provinces in April this year for provision of wheat and flour to NWFP by Punjab during 2008-09.
Punjab Food Department sources told Business Recorder on Tuesday that the meeting would be chaired by Punjab Food Minister Nadeem Kamran to review the agreement under which Punjab has to provide 0.75 million tons wheat and 0.25 million tons wheat-flour to NWFP.
It is said that besides officials of the two provinces, a representative of Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (Minfal) has also been invited to attend the meeting.
Sources said that Punjab has supplied 1,60,000 tons wheat flour to NWFP to-date. Punjab was providing 4000 tons wheat flour and 1000 tons fine atta and maida to NWFP on daily basis, but after a meeting with the flour millers of Punjab on Saturday this quantity was increased to 5,000 tons wheat flour and 1500 tons fine atta and maida daily.
The NWFP government has paid some amount for 1, 20,000 tons wheat to Punjab. The NWFP had lifted only around 75,000 tons wheat against decided 0.75 million tons, sources said. Punjab Food Secretary Iftikhar Ahmad, Director Waseem Mukthar and other officials were also present.
The provincial minister said the government would ensure supply of flour to the people at the fixed rates of Rs 365 as ex-mill and Rs 375 as retail price. He said DCOs and DPOs of the province had been told to ensure supply of flour to the people at fixed rates and take stern action against hoarders and profiteers. He said districts food controllers had also been told to take strict legal action against such flour mills as are involved in over charging.
Regarding the schedule of wheat import, Nadeem said that all formalities have been completed and the first shipment of imported wheat would reach the country on July 22, second in the first week of August, and further shipments would reach the country on weekly basis.
While discussing flour prices, the minister said price magistrates had been directed to take action against elements engaged in overcharging. He said that in case of any complaint in this regard people should contact their District Food Controller and the complaints would be addressed within 24 hours.
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