April 11, 2011
 

Punjab endorses wheat acquiring policy

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif headed a meeting of provincial cabinet at CM's Secretariat on Saturday (Apr 9), which endorsed the Wheat Procurement Policy 2011.

Addressing the meeting, the CM said the wheat procurement aim of 4 million tonnes had been set this year, and outstanding arrangements had also been made this year for this purpose. He gave the assurance that due returns would be guaranteed to the farmers for their labour, and their exploitation would not be condoned.

He also said the wheat acquiring drive would begin from April 20, and 375 procurement centres would be set up, while distribution of gunny bags would start from April 18, while the wheat would not be bought from the middleman.

"Maximum facilities should be provided to the cultivators at procurement centres so that they should not face any difficulty," he said, while further instructing that equal distribution of gunny bags should be made sure of for the benefit of small cultivators.

He gave appreciation for the efforts of the Food Department for the export of wheat. "Out of 1.2 million tonnes wheat exported from the country, 0.8 million tonnes of wheat have been exported from Punjab. Efforts for the export of wheat should be continued during wheat procurement drive 2011 and Food, Agriculture and Industries departments should evolve an effective strategy for this purpose with mutual consultation," he instructed, while instructing that maximum silos should be constructed this year for the storage of wheat so as to monitor its wastage.