The Punjab Food Department will launch wheat procurement drive from April 10 and continue till the purchase of last grain from growers at the rate of Rs 425 per 40 kilogram.
Explaining the details of wheat procurement policy 2006-2007 to APP here on Sunday, Food Minister Punjab, Hussain Jahanian Gardezi said that, first time, Punjab government in order to facilitate the farmers and get rid of agent mafia decided not to fix any wheat procurement target for current season.
He said that a total of 325 purchase centres will be established and the number of which can be increased in view of genuine demand. The wheat procurement will start daily from 7 am to 7 pm without any break even on holidays, he added.
Gunny bags will be distributed to growers on personal surety from any gazetted officers or 'Namberdar' while bags over one hundred will be provided against call deposit, he added.
Hussain Jahanian Gardezi said, a four-member committee comprising representatives of MPA of area, the district government, farmers and Nambardar concerned have been constituted for each centre to supervise and ensure the procurement drive in a fair and transparent manner so that growers are paid guaranteed support price. The minister said, in case of bumper crop, gunny bags, tarpaulins sheet etc will be procured on emergency basis to meet the demand of growers and the policy of open target will be followed to ensure proper price to growers.
Regarding inspection of centres, he said that only ministers, advisors and members of Chief Minister Inspection Team will carry out the same.