KARACHI (January 06 2004): Despite the claim of Sindh Minister for Food and Agriculture, Arif Mustafa Jatoi, that sufficient wheat had been supplied to flour mills, black marketing in wheat flour is still going on in Karachi.

Flour prices on Monday in different localities fluctuated from Rs 120 to Rs 145 per 10 kg bag.

Chukki flour was available at Rs 150 and Rs 160 per 10 kg.

Retailers said that the mills were not supplying flour at government rates, fixed at Rs 10.50 per kg.

The chukki owners said that the quality of wheat they were using was superior to the flour mills stock.

The retailers and chukki owners are not afraid of raids and checking by government officials as they have "own rates" to provide smooth sailing to all.

The retailers agreed with official claim that there was no shortage of wheat in the stock but say that hoarders have created problems for the consumers. The mill owners are of the opinion that shortage of wheat in the coming months is likely to create a serious position and people would not be able to get adequate quantity of flour.

They said that late sowing of wheat due to sugarcane crisis would have its effect on crop size and it was unlikely to achieve the 19.5 million tons target.

They said that the government should take immediate corrective measures and restrict sale of wheat flour to designated places. "If the chukkis stop producing wheat flour, situation is likely to improve," said retailers.

They said that the mills as well as the chukki owners were creating confusion about the quality of wheat.

"This has given rise to different prices for different chukkis and different flour mills."

Let there be standardisation of quality and prices, retailers said.

In the meantime tandori nan is available at Rs 3 per nan in the low income housing areas.

Courtesy Business Recorder