CM Punjab Usman Buzdar said the Punjab government has purchased 32.5 lac metric tonnes of wheat and more than 91 per cent gunny bags have also been distributed in the farmers.
He was presiding over a meeting at his office on Tuesday reviewing the wheat procurement campaign. Secretary Food Punjab briefed the meeting about the ongoing wheat procurement campaign. The chief minister told that a total of 35 lac, 10 thousand metric tonnes of wheat is available in provincial government’s godowns and around 73 per cent of wheat procurement target has been achieved.
He also affirmed that the Punjab government will continue wheat procurement till achieving the target. The CM directed the food department to achieve this target at every cost to ensure food security for unusual circumstances.
An emergency situation is being faced due to coronavirus pandemic and unusual steps will have to be taken keeping in view the prevailing situation, he said. CM stated that wheat procurement campaign should be continued with full vigour as everything is possible when commitment is strong.
Buzdar said that concerned officers fulfilling the wheat procurement targets in their respective districts will be encouraged. Similarly, officers failing to achieve the target will be held accountable. He directed to take every step to achieve the wheat procurement target adding that action will be continued against hoarders under the anti-hoarding ordinance.
Senior Minister Abdul Haleem Khan, Chief Secretary, Agriculture Secretary attended the meeting. The Commissioners and RPOs of Faisalabad, Sargodha and Sahiwal participated in the meeting through video link.
