Wheat distribution yet to materialise in Tharparkar

Around a hundred thousand wheat bags are lying in warehouses awaiting distribution, says official

HYDERABAD: The Sindh government inaugurated the distribution of free wheat in Tharparkar on June 24, weeks before the desert region received early monsoon showers in July. But as the announcement, made by Sindh Food Minister Nisar Khuhro, is yet to materialise, there are unconfirmed reports about wheat stored in the warehouses that is becoming damp and rot.
Thousands of families in Tharparkar, who confronted drought-like conditions before the rains, are awaiting the supply of wheat. Official sources attribute the delay to the transport contracts for the distribution whose process is still not completed.



The minister had announced that each of the 287,946 families in the desert district would be given 100 kilogrammes of wheat. "An estimated 250,000 families or more are yet to be provided free wheat," an official, who requested anonymity, said.
According to him, around a hundred thousand wheat bags are lying in the warehouses of Mithi, Diplo and Islamkot awaiting distribution for over two months. So far only 31,000 wheat bags have been given away.



In 2016, the transporters protested against the government for allegedly delaying payments, claiming of around Rs40 million unpaid dues. According to Deputy Commissioner Hafeez Siyal, the delay has been caused by re-tendering of the transport contracts to ensure transparency.