Wheat stocks, flour prices dominate PA debate

LAHORE:

Rising flour prices, wheat stocks, farmers' concerns and alleged discrimination in the allocation of development funds dominated a heated debate in the Punjab Assembly, where the government disclosed that it had spent Rs833 billion during the first quarter of the fiscal year, including Rs589 billion on non-development expenditures.

During the post-budget general discussion, Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman presented details of the provincial government's expenditures for the first three months of the current fiscal year, revealing that Rs152 billion had been spent on salaries.

The debate also covered the availability of wheat, timely commencement of the sugarcane crushing season and complaints of fraud in privately operated markets.

Opposition Leader Moeen Riaz Qureshi criticised the absence of government members and ministers, saying flour had become expensive in the province but the government appeared unconcerned about public issues.

Responding to questions, Food Minister Salma Butt said the government was monitoring wheat stocks and supplies.

She told the house that more than 1.5 million bags of wheat was arriving daily and the government had over one million tonnes available to meet requirements for the next five months.

Sardar Owais Dreshak called for the sugarcane crushing season to begin on time, warning that delays could affect preparations for the next wheat crop.