Harvest time: ‘Wheat movement will be monitored’

The government plans to purchase the entire wheat crop on offer in Bahawalpur.

BAHAWALPUR:

Adviser to Chief Minister on Literacy and Non-Formal Basic Education Roy Haider Ali on Wednesday said inter-district wheat movement would be strictly monitored.

He said the government had planned to purchase the entire wheat crop on offer in Bahawalpur. He was addressing a meeting held to review the wheat purchase campaign at Bahawalpur DCO’s office. He said transparency in distribution of gunny bags and payments to farmers should be insured. He sought a daily report in this regard.

He directed the Food Department to ensure provision of refreshments and adequate arrangements for the farmers at wheat purchase centres. He said the government had provided gunny bags at the centres and farmers would not have to wait in line to obtain them.

He said flour mills should be strictly monitored and hoarding would not be allowed. He was told that 1.3 million gunny bags had been distributed across the province. He was also told that 28 wheat purchasing centres were buying wheat from farmers and the purchasing targets would be met by May 5.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 24^th, 2014.