'Punjab, Sindh govts behind wheat crisis'
Report states Punjab gave commodity to poultry industry despite shortage, Sindh did not procure it on time
PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
The Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research blamed the Punjab and Sindh governments for the recent wheat crisis in the country in its report submitted to the Senate on Tuesday.
Panel Chairman Senator Zafar Hussain Shah presented the report during the Senate meeting chaired by Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, saying that the committee members met all stakeholders and ascertained two to three reasons behind the wheat shortage.
The report blamed the Punjab and Sindh governments’ “incompetence” for the wheat crisis.
It stated that the Punjab government – despite facing a shortfall of two million tonnes in the wheat crop for the season – gave six – seven million tonnes to the poultry industry which resulted in disruption of supply of the commodity to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in April 2019.
It also stated that the Sindh government did not procure wheat at all last year due to which the private sector had to intervene.
The report suggested setting up a weight board of wheat, which apart from comprising government officials, should also have private sector representatives.
The report also proposed increasing the production of wheat per acre to meet the requirement of the masses.
“Currently, Rs1,365 per 40 kilos wheat support price has been announced while Rs1,800 per 40kg is being offered in the market,” stated the report, suggesting that the wheat support price should be at such a level which encourages farmers to increase their production.
“The wheat support price should be fixed every year in November or December,” it added.
The standing committee chairman suggested giving the Ministry of National Food Security two months’ time to implement its proposals.
Leader of the House in Senate Sibli Faraz said the Sindh government did not procure wheat on time and did political point scoring over its shortage. “It has been proven in the report of the standing committee that it was not the incompetence of the federal government, but some other government’s that resulted in the wheat shortage,” said Faraz.
Faraz vowed that the government would implement the suggestions of the standing committee regarding availability of wheat. “The thieves who looted the country should be held accountable.”
Senator Pervaiz Rasheed demanded holding accountable the people who allocated human food for chickens. “Why haven’t the thieves who committed hoarding been punished? Call a full house meeting and identify them.”
Sixteen other reports of various standing committees, including railways, federal education and professional training, power, information technology and telecommunication, aviation, finance, revenue and economic affairs were presented in the Senate.
Asad Ali Khan Junejo presented the report of the committee on budgetary allocation and its utilisation by the railways ministry, proposed PSDP for railways for fiscal year 2020-21 and Rs29 billion losses incurred by railways during the last eight months.
Prof Dr Mehar Taj Roughani, on behalf of Standing Committee on Federal Education chairperson presented reports of the committee regarding appointment of VCs in universities of K-P, hurdles being faced by the students of Balochistan, non-payment of salaries to the teachers of NCHD, establishment of the University of Islamabad bill and budgetary allocations by the Federal Education Department for fiscal year 2020-21.
Standing Committee on Power Chairman Fida Muhammad presented reports about the issues of high tariff, capacity charges, heat rates and calculation of payback period of IPPs and scheduled power shutdown in the Gadoon Industrial area while Mushahidullah presented a report of the aviation committee regarding re-employment of retired PIA employees on contract basis in the house.
Similarly, Farooq H Naek presented a report of the finance committee on the money bill further to amend certain tax laws – The Tax Laws (Second Amendment) Bill, 2020.
Meanwhile, Functional Committee on Human Rights Chairman Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar presented reports on the Zainab Alert, Response and Recovery Bill, 2020 and Maintenance and Welfare of Old Parents and Senior Citizens Bill, 2019 in the house. (With additional input from app)
The Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research blamed the Punjab and Sindh governments for the recent wheat crisis in the country in its report submitted to the Senate on Tuesday.
Panel Chairman Senator Zafar Hussain Shah presented the report during the Senate meeting chaired by Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, saying that the committee members met all stakeholders and ascertained two to three reasons behind the wheat shortage.
The report blamed the Punjab and Sindh governments’ “incompetence” for the wheat crisis.
It stated that the Punjab government – despite facing a shortfall of two million tonnes in the wheat crop for the season – gave six – seven million tonnes to the poultry industry which resulted in disruption of supply of the commodity to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in April 2019.
It also stated that the Sindh government did not procure wheat at all last year due to which the private sector had to intervene.
The report suggested setting up a weight board of wheat, which apart from comprising government officials, should also have private sector representatives.
The report also proposed increasing the production of wheat per acre to meet the requirement of the masses.
“Currently, Rs1,365 per 40 kilos wheat support price has been announced while Rs1,800 per 40kg is being offered in the market,” stated the report, suggesting that the wheat support price should be at such a level which encourages farmers to increase their production.
“The wheat support price should be fixed every year in November or December,” it added.
The standing committee chairman suggested giving the Ministry of National Food Security two months’ time to implement its proposals.
Leader of the House in Senate Sibli Faraz said the Sindh government did not procure wheat on time and did political point scoring over its shortage. “It has been proven in the report of the standing committee that it was not the incompetence of the federal government, but some other government’s that resulted in the wheat shortage,” said Faraz.
Faraz vowed that the government would implement the suggestions of the standing committee regarding availability of wheat. “The thieves who looted the country should be held accountable.”
Senator Pervaiz Rasheed demanded holding accountable the people who allocated human food for chickens. “Why haven’t the thieves who committed hoarding been punished? Call a full house meeting and identify them.”
Sixteen other reports of various standing committees, including railways, federal education and professional training, power, information technology and telecommunication, aviation, finance, revenue and economic affairs were presented in the Senate.
Asad Ali Khan Junejo presented the report of the committee on budgetary allocation and its utilisation by the railways ministry, proposed PSDP for railways for fiscal year 2020-21 and Rs29 billion losses incurred by railways during the last eight months.
Prof Dr Mehar Taj Roughani, on behalf of Standing Committee on Federal Education chairperson presented reports of the committee regarding appointment of VCs in universities of K-P, hurdles being faced by the students of Balochistan, non-payment of salaries to the teachers of NCHD, establishment of the University of Islamabad bill and budgetary allocations by the Federal Education Department for fiscal year 2020-21.
Standing Committee on Power Chairman Fida Muhammad presented reports about the issues of high tariff, capacity charges, heat rates and calculation of payback period of IPPs and scheduled power shutdown in the Gadoon Industrial area while Mushahidullah presented a report of the aviation committee regarding re-employment of retired PIA employees on contract basis in the house.
Similarly, Farooq H Naek presented a report of the finance committee on the money bill further to amend certain tax laws – The Tax Laws (Second Amendment) Bill, 2020.
Meanwhile, Functional Committee on Human Rights Chairman Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar presented reports on the Zainab Alert, Response and Recovery Bill, 2020 and Maintenance and Welfare of Old Parents and Senior Citizens Bill, 2019 in the house. (With additional input from app)