Urdu Report Desk
The Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) has announced that flour mills across Punjab will suspend operations in protest against food department policies, the suspension of wheat and flour quota permits, and alleged corruption by some officials.
According to the association, flour mills across the province will halt operations during the strike. Mill owners say they are facing fines and other punitive measures over what they describe as minor issues.
Quota Permits Suspended, Mills Fined
The association alleged that wheat and flour quota permits are being suspended, while some flour mills have been sealed and fined up to Rs. 5 million over minor issues.
The PFMA also alleged that some food department officials are demanding payments for issuing permits and truck lists used to transport wheat, flour, and bran.
Allegations of Corruption
The association said it would file a reference with the Anti-Corruption Establishment against a District Food Controller over alleged corruption. According to the association, Rs. 150,000 was allegedly demanded for the issuance of each permit.
The flour millers also objected to the appointment of a Grade 15 employee as District Food Controller and called for a senior officer to be appointed to the position on merit.
Dispute Over Permit Issuance
PFMA Chairman Riazullah Khan said flour mill owners did not want to benefit from political instability but simply wanted to operate their businesses legally.
According to Khan, the provincial government had introduced an online system through which flour mills could generate permits according to their requirements for transporting wheat and flour. However, he said the authority was later transferred to the District Food Controller in Rawalpindi Division.
Khan alleged that Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 150,000 was being demanded for the issuance of permits.
Bran Transportation Also Affected
The association also expressed concerns over the transportation of bran, which is used as animal feed.
Khan said an agreement with the Director General Food had allowed flour mills to provide truck lists for transporting bran. However, he alleged that the District Food Controller discontinued the arrangement and allegedly demanded Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 150,000 for providing the lists.
Restrictions on Wheat and Flour Transportation
Khan further said the transportation of wheat and flour to other districts and provinces had been stopped and quotas had also been abolished.
According to the flour millers, these restrictions could lead to higher wheat and flour prices while making transportation more difficult and expensive.
