SHC expresses concern over high flour prices

• SHC heard a case on flour being sold at high rates
• Flour is being sold at Rs140-150 per kg in the market
• Sindh govt has fixed the price of flour at Rs65 per kg

SUKKUR: Sindh High Court (SHC) has expressed concern over the rising flour prices amid reports that the essential commodity is being sold at exorbitant rates.

The Sindh government has set the price of flour at Rs65 per kg in the province However, flour is being sold at Rs140-150 per kg in the open market.

A two-member bench of the SHC Sukkur bench comprising Justice Salahuddin Panhwar and Justice Abdul Mubeen Lakho took notice of the situation and displeasure their immense displeasure over selling prices at high rates.

A citizen had filed a petition that flour priced at Rs60-65 per kg was being sold at Rs140-150 per kg while authorities were not taking any action to provide relief to the masses.

The court questioned why flour was being sold at higher prices and the role of the commissioner; deputy commissioners and Food Department for failing to implement the prices.

The court has summoned Secretary Food Department, and others officials to appear at the next hearing on January 18. They have been instructed to brief the court on why flour is being sold at high prices.

The court asked why the commissioner and deputy commissioners were not visiting markets to control the prices.   The court said the Chief Secretary will be summoned if the Sindh government is unable to control the price of flour.

The Sindh government has set the price of flour in the province at Rs65 per kg, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon stated that the retail price of a 10kg flour bag has been set at Rs650, The price of flour ex-mill will be Rs64 per kg and Rs640 for 10kg.

The provincial government released subsidized wheat to flour mills in an attempt to resolve the crisis over the past few months.

The prices of flour had reduced by up to Rs10 per kilogram after two months. However, citizens failed to gain any benefit as the commodity was being sold at higher rates.

Chairman Karachi Wholesale Grocers Association Abdul Rauf Ibrahim said the price of fine flour and chakki atta have also been reduced.

The rate of wheat has been reduced by Rs130 to Rs120 per kg. As a result, the price of chakki atta went down from Rs160 to Rs150 per kg.

Amid an acute shortage of flour and rising prices, the Sindh government released subsidized wheat quota to flour mills which reduced the flour price up to Rs10 per kilogram.

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