Senate body directs food ministry to probe urea shortage

Standing Committee on Food Security decides to provide gas supply to urea plants

ISLAMABAD:

The Senate Standing Committee on Food Security has directed the Ministry of Food Security to conduct an inquiry into the shortage of urea in the country.

A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Food Security was held under the chairmanship of Senator Muzaffar Hussain Shah. A support price of wheat could not be determined, and the committee decided to write a letter to the ministry regarding the matter. The committee recommended fixing of support price before the sowing of wheat.

Senator Shah said that the ministry needs to set up a board, which should include PASCO, provinces and other stakeholders, to fix the support price.

The issue of increase in urea prices was also discussed during the meeting. The committee chairman asked who was responsible for its shortage in the market Secretary food security said that this matter does not come under their ministry. Senator Shah then said that nobody has been held responsible for price hike and shortage of urea so far, and directed the ministry to investigate the matter.

The chairman also asked why urea plants had been closed from June to September, highlighting how this led to hoarding and price hike. He pointed out that urea’s supply was less than its demand, therefore, they have decided to provide gas supply to these plants on par with the export-oriented industries.

The committee also expressed frustration over PARC chairman’s late arrival. The committee chief asked him why he was late, and told him to bring the agenda and read it. The PARC chairman started reading out the agenda, drawing laughter from the attendees.

The committee chief asked why junior officers of BPS-19 were appointed as director generals, to which the PARC chairman said that the two officers he was referring to were not persuaded to become DGs.

The committee also sought details of transfers from the PARC chairman. The meeting also discussed ways of promoting kitchen gardening.