May 14, 2003	Wednesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 11, 1424

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GUJRANWALA, May 13: The food department will conduct raid on secret godowns of farmers and forfeit earnest money deposited for gunny bags if they do not sell wheat to the department and Passco, it is learnt here on Tuesday.

Source said the food department and Passco might not be able to achieve the procurement target due to some factors. Commission agents of grain markets advanced money to growers and bound them to sell their produce to them, they added.

They said others paid cash on the spot when they brought their produce to market. Moreover, millers from the NWFP were buying wheat from farmers at Rs310 per 40 kilograms. That was why farmers were reluctant to sell their produce to the food department and Passco on Rs300 per 40 kgs.

Sources said the food department and Passco suggested to the Punjab government to put a ban on the inter-district movement of wheat.

ZAKAT: Three zakat committees of Naushera Virkan tehsil were dissolved by the district zakat committee chairman on embezzlement charges here on Tuesday.

Natherki zakat committee chairman Muhammad Ashraf allegedly embezzled Rs5,000 of some destitute, Khara committee vice-chairman Muhammad Muslim embezzled Rs8,000 while Chand da Kot committee chairman Ehsanullah Rs100,000.

An inquiry was held and they were found guilty. A case was also registered against them.

PORN MOVIES: Four video shop owners were arrested from Naushera Virkan main bazaar on the charges of screening pornographic movies on Tuesday.

Accused Razzaq, Ashraf, Maqsood and Asghar have reportedly set up mini cinemas in their shops.