There is better production of wheat this year as well, stated by Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Qaim Ali Shah. He was presiding over a meeting of the officials of Food and Finance Departments at the CM House here on Friday. Matters pertaining to procurement of wheat and subsidy by the government came up for discussion on the occasion, a CM House statement said.
Briefing the meeting, the Provincial Food Secretary informed the participants that the overall requirement of the province of Sindh is to the tune of 4.2 million tons. He further said that last year there was a surplus production of wheat and 200,000 tons was exported whereas 325,000 tons was exported in the year 2011 as well. Chief Minister said on the occasion that there is better production of wheat this year as well.
He stressed that precise production figures and statistics be presented so that a strategy be evolved regarding the procurement of wheat and decrease in prices of wheat and flour and more relief be made available to the commonman. Provincial Food Minister, Jam Mehtab Dahar, informed the meeting that the Food Department was controlling and monitoring the wheat prices in an effective manner.
Chief Minister maintained that at the time of wheat production in 2013 there was caretaker government which did not come up with an effective policy regarding procurement of wheat and as such the procurement target could not be achieved. He said that the government would provide every possible relief to the commonman. Qaim Ali Shah directed that for the next season a comprehensive strategy be evolved regarding procurement of wheat, provision of gunny bags to the Abadgars and other related issues. He stressed that a vigilant eye be kept so that there is no artificial shortage or hoarding. The meeting decided that the procurement of wheat would commence from the next month.
