Flour mill-owners here alleged that the vested quarter started hoarding wheat soon after India stopped exporting of its wheat, sugar and pulses for six months.

They also cautioned that price of ata and flour like other essential commodities also would go beyond the purchasing capability of commoners if the government did not take necessary measures immediately to control the price hike of wheat.

Bangladesh mainly import wheat from India, Russia, Ukraine, Australia and Argentina, which is generally controlled by the syndicate, sources said.

The mill owners also informed that they are to purchase wheat per ton at US $ 185, which they bought at $ 160 before the crisis.

Price of wheat had increased by Tk 50 per maund this week due to the decrease of wheat import.

Some 60 flour mills of the district mainly meet up 60 percent demand of ata and flour in the country. Around 35,000 maunds of wheat are needed every day in those mills, which are facing crisis, mill owners said.