MARDAN; Masses complaint about mismanagement in distribution of free flour bags

MARDAN, March 25, 2023 (Online): Majority of the masses complained about the mismanagement in the distribution of free flour bags in the district. Large numbers of females also staged protest rally against the unavailability of free flour at Par Hoti area.

Talking to the media, the majority of the masses complained that the government has announced to provide free flour bags to the poor people but due to poor strategy and lack of proper planning, people have started standing in long queues to get free flour bags.

Masses added that district administration has failed to take practical measures for proper distribution. They argued that the poor strategy of the district administration can be gauged from the fact that sale points were also given to those flour mills whose licenses were canceled a few days ago for embezzlement and the most important thing is that there is no sale point of flour at the gate of these flour mills.

The free flour provided by the government is becoming a burden instead of a mercy to the people. So far, several people have been injured due to the stampede and rush on different free flour distribution points in the district.

The masses also complain that the district administration has established points at shops at bazaars which are congested areas and have faced a lot of problems due to rush and these points create more rush. The people demanded that the government establish points in VC and UC at different schools and also provide relief to the masses on these points.

A large number of females also staged a protest at Par Hoti area against the unviability of the flour. The female also complained that they spent all day getting the free flour but due to the mismanagement they failed to gain free flour.

They added that they spend all day in search of free flour. They added that when they reached their house they started preparation for Aftari which is very difficult for them. However when this correspondent contacted deputy commissioner Abdur Rehman he said that more than 400 points were established for the distribution of free flour in Mardan district. He argued that the district administration tried its best to provide relief to the masses. DC added that however the issue was created when the people who did not get messages from BISP also reached the points.

He added that the district administration will give free flour to more than 4 lakh families. He argued that the people did not wait for their turn and every one wanted to gain first due to which issue was created.

He added that they double the quota of Mardan district and now further improvements will be made on these points. He argued that district administration has imposed huge fines on some flour mills which were involved in mismanagement. He added that later on they got an undertaking from the mill owner and restored their quota. He argued that if we closed the flour mills it would decrease the production. However, the deputy commissioner argued that an Assistant Commissioner (AC) is strictly checking these flour mills.