The Punjab government has allocated Rs 42 billion for the purchase of wheat during the current procurement drive in the province. Provincial Food Secretary Squadron Leader Ahmad Yar Khan (retd) told APP here on Wednesday that Rs 36.5 billion had already released to ensure quick payment to the growers.
During the first two days of the drive, the farmers sold 64,716 tons of wheat at 319 procurement centres across the province, he added. Responding to a question, the Food Secretary said that sufficient number of gunny bags had been provided to farmers to facilitate them fully, adding that these bags were easily available in the markets of southern Punjab, especially in Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan and Multan regions.
He said that procurement was in full swing in the province and would continue till the availability of golden grain in the market. "All food officials, deputed at centres, have been directed not to delay the payment to farmers or else they would face strict", he warned. Toll free telephone numbers have been provided at the offices of deputy directors in the province, as well as the Provincial Food Director, it was learnt.
The Food Secretary said that the Chief Minister had already directed all Cabinet members to check the procurement drive in their respective districts. He said that all out efforts had so far been made to ensure complete transparency in procurement and the farmers had been asked to bring quality wheat as per specification laid down by the government. Several raiding teams had been constituted, which had started surprise visits to various procurement centres, he concluded.