|
Main Page
|
 |
|
News Channel |
|
High price may deter wheat procurement target
HYDERABAD (April 20
2004): To achieve the wheat procurement target of
0.6 million tons set up by Sindh food department
would be a difficult task in view of the high
prices in open market as compared to government's
set price for procurement.
The wheat crop which suffered early reverses due
to poor availability of water and late harvesting
of sugarcane crop showed significant improvement
in its per acre yield due to favourable climate
both in upper and lower Sindh, dispelling the
apprehensions of poor wheat harvest.
The Sindh food department panic by the wheat and
wheat flour crises suspended number of experienced
officials who were maintaining close liaison with
wheat growers and posted inexperienced junior
officials at procurement centers who never
bothered to contact wheat growers and depended on
traders to procure wheat from them.
But the open market mechanism remain the major
deterrent as the prices in open market continue to
maintain firm posture and at present the prices in
open market is Rs 365 to Rs 370 per 40 kg as
compared to government procurement price of Rs 350
per 40 kg.
As a result the growers who are getting Rs 50
extra per bag prefer to sale their produce in open
market.
The food officials in desperation started
confiscating wheat of grinding units without legal
authority and in flagrant violation of the federal
cabinet decision.
According to association of small grinding units,
till date 70 truck load wheat of small grinding
units have been forcibly confiscated by the food
officials in Hyderabad alone with the result the
wheat flour prices has started showing upward
trend in urban areas.
Meanwhile, Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister Faqir
Mangrio held food secretary responsible for wheat
and wheat flour crises in the province and also
held him responsible for water crises when he was
secretary irrigation.
He said the chief minister has already been
approached that the food secretary should be
removed and a competent officer should be posted.
Courtesy Business Recorder
|
|
|
|
|
Pakissan.com; Advisory Point
|
|
