RAWALPINDI (March 12 2004): Wheat prices in Rawalpindi have surged to new levels as the provincial and local governments are struggling to cope with the situation.

A 20 kg brown flour bag that was available at Rs 210 is now being sold at Rs 230 while the fine flour prices have been upped by Rs 25 as now the 20 kg bag is sold at Rs 250 against its erstwhile price of Rs 225.

While the local government representatives refused to shoulder any responsibility by saying it was the matter of provincial jurisdiction. Ironically, the provincial government believes there is no price hike in the sector.

The shopkeepers accused the big dealers for the Atta dearness and said that they are forced to buy the wheat floor on higher prices.

They said the reason for the price hike was the hoarding by the big dealers at large scale and the unabated free flow of flour to the Frontier province.

Even the residents of these areas complained against the shortage of the flour and said that sometimes they were denied the flour by the shopkeepers.

They demanded of the government to revise the price mechanism system and take action against those responsible for the price hike and the apocryphal shortage in the essential commodity.

Courtesy Daily Business Recorder