KARACHI: On repeated requests from the federal government with a view to stabilising wheat flour price in the market, the Sindh Cabinet today (Tuesday) finally decided to release wheat from the government stocks from October 16.
The development came during a session of the provincial cabinet with Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah. The provincial cabinet approved the wheat release policy of the provincial government.
According to details, the release of wheat from government stocks would help Rs 9.13 per kilogram reduction in ex-mill wheat price in Sindh. The ex-mill price of wheat flour will drop to Rs 47.87 per kilogram from the existing 57 rupees per KG.
During the session, the provincial cabinet fixed 3687.50 rupees per bag price of the wheat and also issued directives to this effect to district administration across the province.
A few days earlier, provincial food minister Hari Ram Kishori Lal informed that the Sindh government will likely to release wheat from its stocks between October 15 to 20. “The food department sought permission from the chief minister in writing for the release of wheat to flour mills,” he added.
Sindh and federal governments have recently traded barbs over the release of wheat from official stocks. National Food Security minister Syed Fakhr Imam in a statement said that the Sindh government was repeatedly asked to release wheat with a view to stabilising wheat but its continuous refusal was creating problems.
“If the Sindh government releases wheat stock as soon as possible, the price of wheat flour in the market will decline,” Fakhar Imam added.
