Umerkot flour millers say rising wheat, electricity, labour and transport costs have made the Rs128 per kg official flour rate financially unsustainable.
UMERKOT: Flour mill owners in Umerkot have rejected the government-fixed price of Rs128 per kilogram, saying rising wheat prices and higher operating expenses have pushed the actual cost of flour production close to Rs140 per kilogram.
The millers said wheat in the open market was currently selling for around Rs125 per kilogram, leaving little room to cover milling, labour, electricity, transportation, maintenance and other operational expenses at the officially notified flour price.
They argued that continuing to sell flour at Rs128 per kilogram could force mills to absorb losses and further strain an industry already facing rising production costs.
Representatives of the flour milling sector have submitted written applications to the Mirpurkhas commissioner and Umerkot deputy commissioner, seeking a fresh assessment of the official flour price based on prevailing wheat prices and actual production costs.
The millers have also raised concerns over administrative action against flour mills in the district. They alleged that assistant commissioners in Umerkot, Kunri, Samaro and Pithoro had conducted raids and seized wheat stocks from mills and storage facilities.
According to the mill owners, government policy permits flour mills to maintain wheat stocks of up to 850 bags per stone at their mills or designated warehouses. They said seizures carried out despite the provision had created additional difficulties for mill operators.
The millers called for the alleged wheat seizures to be reviewed and urged authorities to ensure that enforcement measures remain consistent with applicable government policies.
They also demanded an investigation into alleged irregularities involving food department inspectors, asking senior provincial authorities to examine the complaints and take action if wrongdoing is established.
The mill owners appealed to the Sindh chief minister, provincial food secretary, Mirpurkhas commissioner and Umerkot deputy commissioner to intervene and reconsider the official flour price.
They said any pricing mechanism should account for the full cost of production, including wheat, electricity, labour, transportation and maintenance.
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