81,300 tons wheat procured in Multan in two weeks

The Punjab Food Department Multan Region has so far procured 81,300 tons of wheat. Deputy Director Imran Sikandar said on Wednesday. Talking to newsmen, he said the procurement was being made at its 69 centres across six districts including Multan, Lodhran, Vehari, Sahiwal, Pakpattan and Khanewal.
He said the procurement of 0.78 million tons of the commodity was being made at the new price of Rs 625 per 40 kilogram at the procurement centres. The farmers have so far been issued 5.2 million gunny bags against a nominal surety price of Rs 53 per bag, refundable at the time of supply of wheat.
The district-wise procurement target, and the wheat procured is as under: Multan 143,000 tons target (procured 14,507 tons), Lodhran 87,000 tons (procured 9,268 tons), Vehari 160,000 tons, (procured 17,768 tons), Sahiwal 160,000 tons (procured 11,742 tons), Pakpattan 70,000 tons (procured 11,412 tons) and Khanewal 160,000 tons (procured 16,603 tons).
Meanwhile, a food official of the district said that wheat flour or Atta was available at the rate of Rs 375 per 20 kg at retail shops. He said there was no shortage of the commodity at all. He said the food department had stopped its subsidised supplies to the flourmills and the latter were now purchasing the commodity from the open market.