Minister for Food presides over a meeting at Commissioner DG Khan

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Food, Bilal Yaseen has said that Punjab government has given relaxation in terms and conditions for wheat procurement. He said that Punjab government would purchase wheat of Rs.105 billion from 375 centers set up throughout the province.

He stated this while presiding over a meeting at committee room of Commissioner DG Khan, today.

He said that 20% wheat would be procured during first three days of 45- day campaign and instructions have been issued for unloading vehicles without any delay and opening the procurement centers round-the-clock. He said that besides 18 Ministers, duties have been assigned to officers for monitoring wheat procurement campaign.

He said that Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif will also pay surprise visit to procurement centers. He said that instructions have been issued to PASSCO for wheat procurement on the pattern of Punjab government and no private person has been allowed to procure wheat. He said that citizen feedback model has also been activated and 110 employees have been appointed in this regard.

The Minister said that tokens will be issued to the farmers on first come first serve basis and wheat would be procured and gunny bags provided without any discrimination. He said that government has made humidity ratio ten to eleven per cent in the wheat and immediate action would be taken on the complaints of purchasing more wheat than fixed weight, improper behavior of officers, corruption, receipt of cash from banks and other complaints and the concerned DCO will be directly responsible in this regard. He said that target of wheat procurement has been fixed at 416000 ton from DG Khan Division.

He said that DCOs can evolve schedule for provision of gunny bags and wheat procurement according to the seasonal conditions. He said that Punjab government has issued orders for distribution of gunny bags from April 10 and purchase of wheat from April 15. He said that 200 gunny bags can be given to the farmers at the rate of eight bags per acre daily. He said that gazetted officers will settle all the matters as center coordinator.

Bilal Yaseen said that wheat would be purchased from the farmers for Rs.1200 per 40 kg and directed that concerned officers should also advertise. He said that on personal guarantee, 50 gunny bags could be provided to the farmers.

Secretary Food Muhammad Aslam Comboh and Director Food Capt. Muhammad Usman Younas also gave briefing regarding government policy. Commissioner Sohail Shehzad, DCOs and concerned officers were present on the occasion.