Increase in the price of flour by Rs 1.50 per kg does not matter in the eyes of wheat retailers as they are already allegedly involved in selling flour at exorbitant rates. A survey of markets showed that although this essential kitchen commodity is already available at higher rates in the local markets, most of the retailers unaware of an increase in the price of wheat by Rs 1.50 per kg are selling it between Rs 45 and Rs 48 per kg.
"We have been buying wheat at higher rates from wheat suppliers before this announcement was made as they were creating shortage," a wheat retailer, Mustafa, said, adding that that the wheat provided by government to millers was of low quality. He claimed that the government has reduced price of the low quality flour which is presently being sold at utility stores for poor.
Recently, Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) increased price of flour by Rs 1.50 per kg to Rs 39.50 per kg. According to the office-bearers of PFMA's Sindh chapter, price of wheat has increased by Rs 1.50 per kg in the wholesale market to Rs 34.50 per kg from Tuesday.
The PFMA has, however, clarified that the increase in flour price was not applicable to the provincial flour mills selling flour at Bachat bazaars. Wheat exporters said that the transport of wheat from godowns to mills has been slowed down because of transporters and taking undue advantage of this situation some millers were allegedly involved in creating `artificial' shortage of wheat.
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