DADU, Sept 19: Flour prices have risen to Rs23 per kg because of the shortage of wheat created by hoarders and big businessmen in Dadu and Jamshoro districts.

Low income group, particularly labourers were worst affected by the hike in the prices of food items in Dadu, Mehar, Khairpur Nathan Shah, Johi, Phulji, Sehwan, Kotri and Sann towns of Dadu and Jamshoro districts.

Shopkeepers were charging per kg for sugar Rs 38; Suji Rs25; fish Rs120 to 140 per kg, atta Rs 23, milk Rs25, tomatoes Rs40, apple Rs50, dates Rs50, potato Rs15, eggs Rs40 per dozen, and banana Rs20 dozen.

A labourer Azam Arain, father of six earning Rs30 daily at the vegetable market was unable to provide three square meals for his family what to say of Ramazan when prices of edible items had gone beyond reach with poor remaining at the receiving end.

A greengrocer Siraj Ahmed said he procured vegetables at high rates from the market as such makes profit of Rs2 per kg. Another Nazeer Ahmed said middlemen were supplying vegetables who were selling to retailers on high rates.

A citizen Akram Soomro said people were disturbed by the rise in the price of Atta, fruit, vegetables and other food items. He alleged the shop keepers of selling food items on high rates in connivance with the local administration.

President Fruit and Vegetable Cart Owners Association Mevo Khan said big traders supply fruit and vegetable at high rates as local administration and market committee officials take bribes. Special Judicial Magistrate and the DDO Revenue Kotri Sohail Adeeb Bachani raided vegetable, fruit and meat shops and fined 15 for overcharging.

The District Food Controller Dadu Hassan Bux Bhutto said about 0.8 millions wheat bags was available in godowns of Dadu and Jamshoro districts.

He said artificial shortage of wheat and Atta had been created in Dadu and Jamshoro districts.

Special Judicial Magistrate and District Deputy Officer Revenue Dadu Abdul Ghaffar Soomro raided fruit, vegetable and meat markets in the city and fined 36 shopkeepers.

Discrimination In Jobs: Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz leader Zafar Ahmed Korejo, District Secretary Ghulam Hussain Lund, Taluka President Johi Ghulam Nabi Bahoto and grower Khamiso Panhwar have alleged 98 per cent employees have been appointed and contracts awarded to people of other provinces in the BHP oil and gas field Johi with locals deprived of their basic right.

Speaking at a press conference after demonstration against the officials of BHP on Wednesday, the JSQM leaders demanded termination of outsider and appointment of locals. They said the BHP had spent millions of rupees for flood affected people of Dadu district through local NGOs but this aid was not distributed among genuine affectees. They appealed to presidents of Pakistan and the BHP to conduct enquiry against the NGOs.

They said roads leading to the BHP Company, including Johi-Dadu, Bhan-Johi and Johi Wahi Pandhi were in depilated condition but the company was not repairing them. They said a charter of demands consisting of 13 demands was sent to the BHP officials on September 11. they warned of launching a series of protest if their demands were not accepted.

PROTEST: Over 100 citizens and social workers staged a protest demonstration on Wednesday against officials of the National Bank Branch for allegedly misbehaving with pensioners and citizens.

A social worker Gulsher said officials of the bank misbehaved with women and men pensioners.

He demanded impartial enquiry into the matter.

RALLY: Citizens and activists took out a rally here on Wednesday against gambling and narcotic dens in the city.

They were led by President Young Citizen Welfare Organisation Qaim Ali Sial.

They staged a demonstration outside the local press club.