The provincial chief minister's 'cheap atta scheme' is at stake following complaints lodged by a number of local government representatives, including Tehsil Nazim, against the purity of 'atta' bags and the scheme is facing serious crisis in the district, disclosed reliable sources.
"The bags contain sub-standard atta even a Tehsil Nazim has surrendered from his quota coupons and returned the bags to the district administration due to the low quality of ata," they said.
However, the district officials in their meeting, held behind closed doors, held flourmills responsible for supplying adulterated and low quality atta bags, which damaged the entire scheme, said the sources.
Sources said the officials also recommended suspension of wheat quota to flour mills for committing dishonesty, said insiders.
Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi announced the cheap flour bag scheme for the poor and needy people but the bureaucracy and the administration foiled this scheme.
According to the schedule, each family was to be given two bags of 20 kilogram till the completion of the scheme in the next four months from January to April.
However, Multan DCO Muhammad Ijaz Chaudhry contradicting reports about adulteration or low quality of 'atta' bags, said the scheme was continuing according to the schedule.
He said that Multan Sadar Tehsil Nazim Shaukat Hayat Bosan 'surrendered his coupon quota due to the excess stock of wheat in his area'.
He further said the lists of deserving persons were finalised following consultation with the legislators.