LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: The Punjab Meals Division has clarified that it has not banned the inter-province or inter-district motion of wheat, blaming a “misinterpretation” of a notification for the confusion relating to grain transportation.
Punjab is at the moment going through a wheat abundance crisis this crop season as a result of heavy import of grain by the caretaker setup near the native harvesting time.
Normally, the provincial authorities procures over 4 million tonnes of wheat yearly. However, this season, it has not bought any wheat regardless of operating a “develop extra wheat” drive on the onset of the sowing season final October and November.
Growers, reaping a bumper crop, at the moment are on the mercy of free market forces, promoting their produce at Rs1,000 per 40kg, method under the official minimal assist value of Rs3,900 per 40kg.
A notification issued two days in the past, circulating on social media, in search of the posting of officers of excellent reputation at check-posts to curb smuggling, seemed that the Punjab authorities was banning inter-provincial wheat motion.
A spokesperson for the division clarified on Sunday that no restrictions have been imposed on wheat transportation.
Beneath Punjab authorities coverage, inter-provincial and inter-district transportation of wheat is absolutely permitted and no permits have been required.
He clarified that some components have been linking a letter written by the federal authorities to forestall the smuggling of assorted gadgets with the transportation of wheat, which was a whole misunderstanding.
The spokersperson stated after directions from the federal authorities and Punjab Dwelling Division, letters have been written for the appointment of vigilant and sincere employees in any respect checkpoints to forestall smuggling of assorted gadgets.
Nonetheless, the supply, buy, and sale of wheat, in addition to its inter-provincial and inter-district transportation, was absolutely permitted, he added.
The spokesperson defined that employees posted at checkpoints would maintain a file of wheat supply to trace how a lot grain was despatched to every district and province.
Like different commodities, this record-keeping was important to forestall unscrupulous components from creating an impression of a synthetic scarcity available in the market, he added.
The spokesperson reassured that wheat was abundantly accessible in Punjab, which, because the nation’s meals basket, additionally fulfilled the wants of different provinces.
KP govt procurement
In a associated improvement, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa authorities has opted to bypass the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Providers Company (Passco) for wheat procurement, claiming that this choice will save the provincial authorities a minimum of Rs12 billion.
“Passco offers us with 40kg of wheat for Rs5,600, however we’ve determined to straight buy wheat from farmers on the fee of Rs3,900 for 40kg, saving the KP authorities Rs12bn,” stated KP Meals Minister Zahir Shah throughout a press convention at KP Home in Islamabad on Sunday.
Passco is a government-owned firm working within the storage sector of Pakistan.
Mr Shah stated that the provincial authorities has determined to purchase a minimum of 300,000 tonnes of wheat from native farmers, emphasising that imported grain won’t be procured from the market.
“The provincial authorities has began buying wheat, allocating the primary 10 days to native growers. After Could 17, farmers from Punjab can be permitted to promote wheat. Now we have taken all needed steps to make sure transparency within the procurement course of,” he elaborated.
The minister additional defined that in contrast to earlier practices the place separate funds have been allotted for wheat transportation and luggage, this time, the cupboard authorized the direct procurement of 40kg of wheat for Rs3,900 at procurement centres.
“There are 22 procurement centres and we’ve already bought over 27,300 tonnes out of which 17,000 tonnes was procured from native growers,” he stated.
“If any officer tried to convey imported wheat into the province for presidency procurement, we’ll take strict motion towards them underneath the Effectivity and Self-discipline guidelines, together with termination of service.”
Mr Shah additionally talked about that 3.5 million tonnes of wheat, imported by the earlier federal caretaker authorities, was stocked in Punjab’s warehouses, resulting in the federal government’s refusal to buy wheat from native farmers.
“Farmers of Punjab are going through a tough time so we’ve determined to buy wheat from them,” he stated.
Replying to questions, he acknowledged corruption within the meals division, which prompted the KP authorities to introduce a web-based app for individuals to register and promote wheat to.
“We want 300,000 tonnes of wheat, however farmers have approached us to promote 1.4m tonnes. So, we’ve determined to acquire on a first-come, first-served foundation. Regardless of ongoing propaganda towards us, we stay steadfast in our coverage and selections,” the minister affirmed.
Mr Shah stated the Punjab authorities was not procuring wheat, prompting the KP administration to straight buy the grain from Punjab farmers.
Responding to a query relating to why wheat was not being procured from native farmers, he emphasised that precedence was given to locals, however the high quality of wheat was additionally considered.
He additionally famous that the worth of a 20kg flour bag has decreased from Rs3,200 to Rs1,650.
Printed in Daybreak, Could twentieth, 2024