Fresh crop: CM approves release of Rs2.5b for wheat purchase
Orders fair distribution of wheat bags, particularly to small growers
697,895 tons of last year’s wheat was still stored in storages of the food department, said the food minister. PHOTO: REUTERS
KARACHI:
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has approved the release of Rs2.5 billion for the purchase of 200,000 tons of wheat to achieve the procurement target.
“I want to fairly distribute wheat bags and small growers must be given their due share,” he said.
He issued these directives to Minister for Food Gianchand Israni while presiding over a joint meeting of the food and finance departments at the Chief Minister House on Thursday.
Israni, while briefing the chief minister, said 836,000 tons of wheat had been bought so far and the remaining procurement was in progress.
The chief minister asked him about the progress on the procurement of 200,000 tons he had announced on the floor of Sindh Assembly. In response, the food minister said funds for more procurement had not yet been released.
The chief minister directed the finance department to release the required funds to the food department.
Finance Secretary Sohail Rajput told the chief minister that the food department had demanded Rs3.5 billion. “I have already released Rs1 billion and another Rs1 billion is available with the food department and the remaining Rs1.5 billion will be released on Friday,” he said.
The chief minister gave orders for the removal of district food controllers, who were facing complaints of corruption, and said their cases should be sent to the anti-corruption department. “It should be very clear, I will not tolerate corruption at any cost,” he remarked.
Shah said there were complaints from Ghotki, Shikarpur and Jacobabad that procurements had not been made properly. Small growers must be given preference, he said.
The food minister said 200,000 bags were available with the food department and it would start their distribution immediately. “The remaining bags will be made available shortly.”
He pointed out that 697,895 tons of last year’s wheat was still stored in storages of the food department and it had procured another 836,337 tons this season.
“It means 1.5 million tons of wheat is available with the food department. The procurement of 264,000 tons is yet to be made.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 22nd, 2015.
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has approved the release of Rs2.5 billion for the purchase of 200,000 tons of wheat to achieve the procurement target.
“I want to fairly distribute wheat bags and small growers must be given their due share,” he said.
He issued these directives to Minister for Food Gianchand Israni while presiding over a joint meeting of the food and finance departments at the Chief Minister House on Thursday.
Israni, while briefing the chief minister, said 836,000 tons of wheat had been bought so far and the remaining procurement was in progress.
The chief minister asked him about the progress on the procurement of 200,000 tons he had announced on the floor of Sindh Assembly. In response, the food minister said funds for more procurement had not yet been released.
The chief minister directed the finance department to release the required funds to the food department.
Finance Secretary Sohail Rajput told the chief minister that the food department had demanded Rs3.5 billion. “I have already released Rs1 billion and another Rs1 billion is available with the food department and the remaining Rs1.5 billion will be released on Friday,” he said.
The chief minister gave orders for the removal of district food controllers, who were facing complaints of corruption, and said their cases should be sent to the anti-corruption department. “It should be very clear, I will not tolerate corruption at any cost,” he remarked.
Shah said there were complaints from Ghotki, Shikarpur and Jacobabad that procurements had not been made properly. Small growers must be given preference, he said.
The food minister said 200,000 bags were available with the food department and it would start their distribution immediately. “The remaining bags will be made available shortly.”
He pointed out that 697,895 tons of last year’s wheat was still stored in storages of the food department and it had procured another 836,337 tons this season.
“It means 1.5 million tons of wheat is available with the food department. The procurement of 264,000 tons is yet to be made.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 22nd, 2015.