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Ramadhan and Punjab's atta crisis |
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Muslim Countries
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Tuesday, 02 September 2008 |
A tussle between flour mills’ owners and the Punjab government has started after the latter took control of 400 flour mills of the province besides taking into custody flour stocks.
The officials of police, food and revenue departments took part in the operation to ensure regular flour supply to Sunday Sasta bazaars. The Punjab government’s extreme step of taking control of flour mills came after the mills owners refused to supply flour at government fixed rate. At present, the government has made all arrangements to ensure availability of atta at Rs 300 per 20 kilogramme during Ramadan. After the holy month, the provincial government would chalk out a new atta policy and fix its price. On the other hand, Pakistan Flour Mills Association Punjab has objected to the formula of population-based wheat quota release, inter-district flour and wheat movement, and cancellation of wheat quota of 57 flour mills. To fight its case, the association has decided to file a writ petition in the higher court against inter-district flour movement ban, Wheat Release Policy 2008-09, takeover of flour mills and confiscation of flour after breaking locks of their mills. On the other hand, the Punjab government has announced to fight the millers even in courts.
The flour crisis is persisting for quite some time in the country in general and in Punjab particular. Long queues of people seen at flour sale points have blown the lid off the government’s claims about having taken adequate measures to overcome flour shortages. It is ironic that every year atta disappears as soon as the holy month of Ramadan starts. No doubt, in this month there is a surge in the demand of the commodity, but the fact is that hoarders start storing wheat in order to exploit the situation. In the past it seemed that the government was helpless against the atta hoarders and it is also feared that its shortage is due to the fact that there is also a constant outflow of wheat from NWFP and Balochistan to Afghanistan. Smuggling of wheat to India is going on. In the present circumstances for the smooth and regular supply of the commodity, the Punjab government is making all out efforts. The provincial government is also supplying more atta bags to Utility Stores Corporation (USC).
Smuggling of atta is a big problem, which seems to have been controlled to some extent. The other serious issue is hoarding of the commodity, which too is a serious crime. Government failure to take stern action against wheat hoarders has caused a heavy loss to the national exchequer. Mismanagement at the federal and provincial government level has led to the present crisis. Responsibility must be fixed for this unprecedented criminal negligence. The federal and provincial governments are reluctant to proceed against their ministers, MNAs and MPAs, who are involved in the hoarding of wheat. It is time for the government to take strong action against hoarders and provide relief to the common man. The government should probe the atta crisis and bring to book those responsible for this situation. The mill owners should also look into their ranks and identify the black sheep who precipitate for the present crisis.
The Post
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