Umerkot Flour Millers Demand Price Hike Amid Rising Costs

Flour mill owners in Umerkot have urged the administration to withdraw the fixed flour price of Rs128 per kilogram, arguing that the rate no longer covers the rising cost of wheat and milling operations.

In separate written applications submitted to the Mirpurkhas commissioner and Umerkot deputy commissioner, the millers called for a fresh review of flour prices and action against what they described as unlawful measures by local authorities.

According to the mill owners, wheat prices in the open market have risen to around Rs125 per kilogram. After adding milling charges and other operating expenses, they estimate that the actual cost of producing one kilogram of flour has reached nearly Rs140.

They said selling flour at Rs128 per kilogram would therefore result in losses for mill operators.

The millers also objected to the seizure of wheat stocks during raids carried out by assistant commissioners in Umerkot, Kunri, Samaro and Pithoro.

They maintained that government policy allows flour mills to store up to 850 wheat bags per stone, either at their own facilities or in warehouses. Despite this allowance, they alleged that local authorities had raided mills and storage locations and confiscated wheat stocks.

The owners described these actions as contrary to existing government policy and called for intervention by senior officials.

They urged Sindh Chief Minister, the provincial food secretary, Mirpurkhas commissioner and other relevant authorities to reassess the flour price according to prevailing wheat and production costs.

The millers also called for an investigation into alleged irregularities and corruption involving food inspectors and asked local administrations to halt what they termed unlawful actions against flour mills.

They warned that maintaining a flour price below production costs, combined with continued enforcement actions, was placing growing financial pressure on mills across the district.