PESHAWAR (January 03 2004): Muhammad Naeem Butt, president of Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA), NWFP, has demanded of the government of the province to follow in the foot steps of Punjab in supplying wheat to mills according to requirements of the people.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, he said that such step by the government would not only protect the flour mill industry from the illegal tactics of the business community of Punjab, but would also enable it to continue business without fear and harassment.

Referring to the existing food policy in the country, Butt said that millers have been urged to purchase wheat from open market and run their business as part of market mechanism.

He said that the decision was taken after considering the requirements of the people.

However, during off season every province should provide wheat to its industry on official price.

He said that government of Punjab implemented the policy and provides 12,000 tons wheat per day to flour mills which he said is even more than requirement, and also transported to other provinces of the country.

He said that as opposed to the practice adopted by Punjab, the NWFP government instead of supplying 6,000 tons provides only 1,000 tons wheat daily.

He said that the policy of the provincial government shows that, like its predecessors, the present government also wants to destroy this sector.

"The government of Punjab has further increased the quota of flour mills by 6,000 ton daily to enable its industry to maintain its monopoly on other provinces," he alleged.

He said that Punjab flour mills are receiving 18,000 tons wheat daily from January 1, 2004.

He said that Punjab is providing 100 kg wheat at Rs 900 which is hardly available in NWFP at the price of Rs 1100 in the open market.

He demanded of the government to ensure strict implementation of the food policy to push the sector towards market mechanism as well as prevent negation of the rights of any province of the country.

Courtesy Business Recorder