Utility stores in Taxila, Wah run short of flour, sugar.

TAXILA -- An acute shortage of wheat flour and sugar has erupted in the government operated utility store outlets in Taxila and Wah causing problems for the consumers.

It has been observed that following the significant increase in the prices of essential commodities, especially wheat flour and sugar, poor and middle class people have been thronging the utility stores to buy essential kitchen items at subsidised rates. But they have to return empty-handed as these items are not available in the stores.

The government is providing a subsidy on the basic food commodities, including flour and sugar, at the utility store outlets to provide relief to the citizens. However, people are facing problems due to shortage of these basic commodities.

According to sources, prices of both the commodities were lower in these outlets compared to the open market which resulted in a higher demand and shortage of the commodities.

Local people told this correspondent that after the imposition of the lockdown the prices of all essential kitchen items had witnessed a significant increase. The consumers criticised the apathy of the USC management towards ensuring the availability of the items.

Mohammad Zubair from Faisal Shaheed Road said: 'We used to buy foodstuff at the utility store for the whole month and saved Rs700 to...