KARACHI (March 07 2004): Harvesting of new wheat crop has started in lower parts of Sindh but no procurement centre has been set up by government.

Private parties are purchasing wheat from growers without payment of price fixed by the government. Farmers are obliged to sell the commodity at lower rates.

The Provincial Government has fixed the support price of wheat at Rs 350 for 40 kg. The private parties are hardly paying Rs 330 for 40 kg to the growers.

In view of the shortage of wheat in the province, the provincial government had announced that it would open procurement centres without any loss of time.

Sources said that with no procurement centre of government, the private traders may further decrease the price.

Therefore, they said, the government should come forward, set up the centres and purchase wheat at price fixed by it.

Courtesy Business Recorder