More wheat allocation sought for M'shtra

The state government should demand increase in the quota of wheat allocated to Maharashtra by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to control bread prices, which have increased by 25 per cent in the recent past, demanded Shiv Sena MLC and conniver of party's cell on essential commodities Kanhyalal Gidwani.

In a letter written to state's civil supplies minister, Gidwani has pointed out prices of pav in Mumbai have gone up from 75 paise per piece to Re 1 per piece in the wholesale market and it is likely to increase further if wheat availability is not increased.

He further said, FCI has fixed a quota of 15,000 tonne per month to Maharashtra while the demand stands at 1 lakh tonne.

He has also demanded that, it should be also ensured that, 50,000 tonne of wheat is made available to the members of Maharashtra Bakers Association at a price below Rs 850 per quintal.

Meanwhile, a meeting of FCI officials, representatives of bakery associations and other concerned officials has been called on January 20 on this issue.