Multan has so far purchased 424,757 tons of wheat, achieving 69 percent of the target. This was revealed by Deputy Director for Punjab Food Department Nasrullah Khan Leghari while talking to APP here on Wednesday. He said a total of 0.615 million tons of the commodity would be purchased at 63 centres in Multan zone, comprising six districts of the former Multan division.
He said a total of 5.2 million empty bags were issued to the farmers against the payment of Rs 50 for each gunny bag and Rs 13 for polythene bag. He said approximately 200,000 tons of wheat was being procured by the Multan Food Department per week.
He mentioned that the security money for the bags was refunded on supply of the commodity at the issuing centre. Wheat was being purchased at the support price of Rs 425 per 40 kilograms, he added.
The following is the district-wise procurement and target: Multan: 84,961 tons (target 1,15,000 tons); Lodhran: 59,121 tons (65,000 tons); Vehari: 79,599 tons (1,20,000 tons); Sahiwal: 78,258 (1,20,000 tons); Pakpattan: 36,210 tons (55,000 tons); and Khanewal: 86,608 tons (target 1,40,000 tons). He said the growers needed to take their golden grain to the nearby procurement centre and the payment was made through cheques.
The procurement drive would continue till the target was achieved, he said, adding: "If more wheat would be available with the farmers, the government may revise the procurement target". He said not a single complaint of any irregularity was received from any of the 63 procurement centres across the region.