Tractor manufacturers are concerned over delays in the Benazir Tractor Scheme (BTS) as their entire inventory is held up since September 11, 2009 for want of demand drafts from the designated bank, official sources told Business Recorder.
Tractor manufacturers have approached Minister for Food and Agriculture Nazar Muhammad Gondal seeking reasons for the delay in the delivery of tractors to lucky winners.
The blame at the time of balloting was laid at the IT Ministry and there were allegations of ballot rigging. There were also reports that PPP supporters were allegedly using their influence to approach investors to ensure their names appeared in the ballot.
After the completion of balloting phase of BTS some tractor suppliers began offering commissions ranging from Rs 5,000 to 30,000 per tractor to officials of local branches of the bank for each tractor booked. There are reports of package deals struck between some suppliers and bank branches.
According to documents obtained by this correspondent one Punjab based manufacturer openly distributed information after payment of money on sale of tractors through black market mafia. The lucky winners are selling their tractor papers in return for cash of Rs 170,000 to 180,000 to the mafia, sponsored by some suppliers. Tractors are also being booked in advance for delivery on stamp papers.
Unlike the Green Tractor Scheme of the Punjab government, which has not come under criticism, there are serious reservations about transparency in the BTS. According to a letter written by one of the tractor manufacturers, a copy of which was obtained by this scribe "not even one of the decisions taken by the policy guidelines committee (PGC) has been adhered to."
Lucky winners, who have completed the requisite paperwork, remain sceptical whether they would get tractors under the BTS in time for the next sowing season.