LAHORE: Punjab Food Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has directed the officials concerned to devise a new mechanism for procurement and distribution of wheat across the province by the end of this month.
Presiding over a meeting on Monday, Aleem Khan noted that the wheat situation in the province has returned to normal after the government’s decision to import the commodity, adding that there was no shortage of wheat and flour anywhere in Punjab.
He informed that 8 out of 20 ships of imported wheat have arrived, of which seven have been distributed among flour mills. He said out of the total imported wheat, 1.138 million metric tonnes would be given to flour mills by Feb 2021.
Commenting on the purchase and distribution of wheat and subsidy on flour, Aleem Khan said that the Punjab government has to bear a financial burden of Rs100 billion per annum under the current system. “But as the common man is still not benefiting, the government is going to change it”.
He directed the food department to coordinate with the monitoring systems at Punjab borders and ensure timely release of wheat to flour mills. He also instructed the officials to maintain the improved situation of wheat and flour in the province so that the common man does not face any difficulty.
The meeting was also attended by Punjab Agriculture Minister Hussain Jahanian Gardezi, food secretary and senior officers of relevant departments.
