LAHORE: The government has increased the prices of wheat flour prices by more than 20 percent at utility stores.
The decision comes after increasing the prices of all petroleum products by Rs30. The new rates were conveyed to all zonal managers in a notification issued by the Utility Stores Corporation.
There has been Rs9 per kilogram rise in flour prices resulting in a hike of Rs90 on a 10-kg bag and Rs180 on a 20-kg bag. The sale price of a 10kg bag of flour at regular and franchised stores has been increased from Rs400 to Rs490, while a 20kg bag of flour at regular and franchised stores has been increased from Rs800 to Rs980.
The regional accounts officers have been directed to visit the warehouses and ensure implementation of prices in the utility stores. It said in case any discrepancy/insufficiency is found at any stage, concerned officer will be held responsible. It also said that the cost price of flour would remain the same.
Earlier Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz had announced a record decrease in the price of flour under a relief package. He said a 10kg flour bag would be available for Rs490 instead of Rs650 under the Chief Minister’s Relief Package.
The provincial government has decided to bear around Rs200 billion annual financial burden for the provision of subsidised flour. It has procured 4.5 million tons of wheat this year.
The chief minister said wheat was available in the international market for Rs4,000 per maund, while the government had purchased it from the farmers at Rs2,200 per maund.
He said steps were being taken to reduce the prices of sugar ghee and other essential items. He said district price control committees had been reactivated across the province to check on profiteering.
